Clinical and Forensic Relevance of Cranial Bone Thickness Using CT Scan in Relation to Age and Gender

Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess cranial bone thickness in relation to age and gender using computed tomography (CT) scans, and to determine the clinical and forensic relevance of any observed variations. Study design and setting: This was a retrospective cross sectional observational analysis carried out on 128 patients head CT at Radiology department of M. Islam Teaching Hospital, Gujranwala from 1st February, 2024 to 1st December, 2024. Methodology: Adults between the ages of 15 to 70 years were included. Data was collected by multi detector CT incisive 128 Philips using bone window. Sagittal view was selected for the measurements of unpaired frontal and occipital bones. Coronal view for the right and left paired parietal bones and axial view for the right and left paired temporal bones. Independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to assess sex- and age-related differences, respectively. A pvalue < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our study includes 128 participants, comprising 71 males and 57 females. The mean age of patients was 45.1 ± 18.7. The sex-based difference in cranial bone thickness was significant at upper and lower frontal, right anterior and posterior parietal, left middle and posterior parietal (p < 0.05). Based on age group the difference was statistically significant at the level of right anterior parietal only. Conclusions: Cranial bone thickness varies significantly with gender and, to a limited extent, with age. These findings enhance our understanding of cranial anatomy relevant to surgical planning, trauma management, and forensic identification