Hyperostosis Frontalis Interna and Its Clinical Significance

Authors : Hürriyet Çetinok

Pages : 169-175

Doi:10.53446/actamednicomedia.1644183

View : 24 | Download : 119

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The metabolic, endocrinological, neurological, and psychological causes of heterotopic ossification in frontal bone have become increasingly important. Overgrowth of the frontal bone, called hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI), can cause headaches and, rarely, seizures. HFI is nine times more common in women and is called Morgagni-Stewart-Morel syndrome when it occurs with virilization, obesity, and neuropsychiatric problems. Long-term estrogen exposure, advanced age, female gender, testosterone suppression removal, male-type hypogonadism, genetics, environmental factors, obesity, diet, Diabetes mellitus, some metabolic diseases, autoimmunity (ANA+), endocrine imbalance, and LEPTIN cause HFI. About 20% of HFI patients experience headaches, obesity, vertigo/dizziness, cognitive decline, and depression. Methods: Our study was conducted over four years, from 2016 to 2019, at the Anatomy Department of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, USA. We utilized formalin- fixed course cadavers from the department to assess heterotopic ossification. The cadavers exhibiting HFI+ were particularly recognized. The gender and age of the cases were considered. 74 donors, ranging in age from 42 to 103, were assessed. Results: The study indicates that the frequency of HFI is 41.89%, with a prevalence of 9.45% among men in the population. This represents 22.58% of all HFI cases. The incidence among women is recorded at 32.43% within the population, representing 77.42% of total HFI cases. Conclusion: Our study sample had 9.45% male HFI, which is remarkable. Although estrogen has been the main driver in HFI etiopathogenesis, the reported rate in males will illuminate fresh research and conclusions, allowing a full study of alternative variables.
Keywords : Hiperostozis frontalis interna, Akromegali, Postmenopozal kadın, Calvarial büyüme, Heterotopik ossifikasyon

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