Abstract
Objectives: To study and compare the patterns of lambdoid suture closure bilaterally; to specify any relationship between progression of the union of lambdoid suture and age; to detect sexual and population variations in lambdoid suture closure.
Methodology: A total of 98 subjects of both sexes, 20 years and beyond were included in the study. The state of fusion of the lambdoid suture was examined using a modified reverse panoramic radiograph (RPRg). Frederic’s five-point rating scale was used to assess lambdoid suture closure status. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.
Results: Cohen’s Kappa measure of the agreement gave a figure of 0.96 for intra-examiner testing and 0.97 for inter-examiner testing. These values represent a good agreement. Grade 0 was observed in 16 (16.3%), grade 1 in 44 (44.9%), grade 2 in 09 (9.2%), grade 3 in 13 (13.3%) and grade 4 in 16 (16.3%) of the cases. The maximum numbers of cases were in age group 35–39 (24 (24.4%)) followed by age group 25–29 (19 (19.4%)). In the present study, there were 64 (65.3%) males and 34 (34.7%) females. When the comparison between males and female subjects was made, the closure was earlier in females. Most of the participants belonged to Arabian population (38 (38.7%)) followed by South Asian (33 (33.7%)) and least were from South East Asian population (27 (27.6%)). There were significant differences in suture closure in relation to age but insignificant with respect to sex and population.
Conclusions: Assessment regarding the age of an individual is possible but the sex and population of an individual cannot be determined.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.