Is metopic suture normal?

The metopic suture is the only suture that fuses normally during childhood at anytime from 3-18 months of age. When the metopic suture closes earlier than normal, typically well before birth, it is called metopic craniosynostosis.

When should metopic suture close?

The Metopic suture which runs mid-line of the frontal bone will fuse normally with no skull defect between the ages of three(3) months of age and nine(9) months of age.

How common is persistent metopic suture?

Bergman [7] reported the persistence of the metopic suture in approximately 1-12% of skulls. One author, Agarwal [10] reported the finding of 38.17% in Indian skulls, and Linc [11] observed it in 11% in Czech skulls, and finally Woo [12] reported the finding in 10% in Mongoloid skulls.

Is Metopic ridge common?

A metopic ridge occurs when the 2 bony plates in the front part of the skull join together too early. The metopic suture remains unclosed throughout life in 1 in 10 people.

Does Metopic synostosis go away?

When the metopic suture fuses, the bone next to the suture will often thicken, creating a metopic ridge. The ridge may be subtle or obvious, but it is normal and usually goes away after a few years.

What does Metopic Ridge feel like?

Children with metopic synostosis have visible symptoms that include one or all of the following: A noticeable ridge running down the middle of the forehead. An overly narrow, triangular shape to the forehead and top of the skull. Eyes that appear too close together.

What age does metopic suture fuse?

Gross anatomy It may fuse as early as 3 months of age and should fuse in nearly all patients by around 9 months of age 1-4. Premature fusion of the suture is termed metopic synostosis (type of craniosynostosis) which can then result in trigonocephaly.

What causes Metopic Synostosis?

The cause of metopic craniosynostosis is not yet known. There may be a genetic basis to the condition as it seems to be passed on from parent to child in a small number of families.

What causes Metopic synostosis?

Does Metopic Synostosis require surgery?

Surgery. Many children with moderate to severe metopic synostosis will require surgical intervention. Surgery for metopic synostosis: is designed to correct deformities in the facial and skull bones.

What causes persistent metopic suture?

Metopic suture is regularly obliterated, except at its lower part, by the eighth year, but infrequently persists throughout life. There is no single proven cause of metopism. The occurrence is from mild to serious situations. Visional, learning, and behavioral problems may happen in serious metopism.

When does the metopic suture close in children?

Results: The earliest evidence of metopic suture closure was at 3 months, the age at which 33% of patients (4/12) were closed. At 5 months of age, 59% (13/22) of sutures were closed. At 7 months of age, 65% (15/23) were closed. At 9 months of age, 100% (10/10) were closed.

When does the metopic suture of the skull fuse?

It is also important to note that numbers vary due to what exactly defines suture fusing. The Metopic suture which runs mid-line of the frontal bone will fuse normally with no skull defect between the ages of three (3) months of age and nine (9) months of age. Suture may begin to fuse by the age of 24.

Which is the only suture which normally closes during infancy?

The “Metopic Ridge” The metopic suture is the only suture which normally closes during infancy. Upon closure, a palpable and visible ridge often forms which can be confused with metopic craniosynostosis. Benign Metopic ridging may be treated nonsurgically while metopic craniosynostosis is treated surgically.

How old do you have to be for the suture to close?

The suture closes sometime between the ages of 30 years old and 40 years old. The suture has been seen to close normally at age 26 and also remain open until someone in their late 50’s.