Age Estimation from closure of some cranial sutures (coronal, sagittal, and lambdoid) in a sample of Egyptian population using computed tomography: retrospective study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Radiology department Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Accurate age estimation is essential in forensic anthropology, bioarcheology, and
medico legal investigations. Recent advancements in CT imaging have enabled detailed
examination of cranial sutures, offering valuable insights. Aim: This study aimed to correlate
the relationship between age and closure of cranial sutures and to estimate average age of closure
of each suture (coronal, sagittal, and lambdoid) using CT imaging on a sample of Egyptian
population. Materials & methods: Total number of 100 CT cases, 20 years and beyond were
included in the study, and divided equally into five age groups with an age interval of 10 years;
Group 1 (20-30 yrs), group 2 (>30-40 yrs), group 3 (>40-50 yrs), group 4 (>50-60 yrs) & group
5 (> 60 yrs). Assessment of suture closure was done according to the Frederic Rating Scale on
CT imaging. The acquired data was statistically analyzed. Results: The current study revealed a
positive correlation between age and cranial suture closure, also we observed that sagittal suture
closes earlier and begins closure first through its second part (S2) at around 38.82±11.62
followed by coronal sutures where the second part (C2) is the first to start closure with mean age
of 43.29±16.58 and then lambdoid suture. Conclusions: Cranial suture can be used as a tool for
age estimation through usage of CT imaging both ectocranially and endocranially but with one
decade interval error with no differences between males and females.

Keywords

Ain Shams Journal of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology
Volume 42, Issue 1
January 2024
Pages 68-75

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