Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Intravital Longitudinal Imaging of Vascular Dynamics in the Calvarial Bone Marrow
Published on: April 11, 2025
Idiopathic calvarial thinning.
Satoshi Tsutsumi1, Yukimasa Yasumoto, Masanori Ito
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. shotaro@juntendo-urayasu.jp
This study reports a rare case of progressive bilateral parietal calvarial thinning in an elderly diabetic woman. The cause remains undetermined despite extensive investigation, highlighting a complex bone remodeling mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Study
- Radiology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Presents an 82-year-old female with a 6-year history of gradually enlarging, painless scalp depressions.
- Patient has well-controlled diabetes mellitus and no history of head trauma, inflammation, or malignancy.
Observation:
- Neuroimaging revealed symmetric thinning of bilateral parietal bones due to loss of diploe and outer table.
- Bone scintigraphy showed mild hypoaccumulation in the left calvarium.
- Histopathology demonstrated homogeneous membranous bone with regressed diploe, lacking osteoblasts, osteoclasts, or signs of malignancy.
Findings:
- The observed calvarial thinning is distinct from Gorham-Stout disease.
- Laboratory results, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and hormone levels, were within normal limits.
- The case presents a unique pattern of bone loss without identifiable etiology.
Implications:
- Suggests an undetermined complex mechanism underlying idiopathic calvarial thinning.
- Highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for unexplained bone abnormalities.
- Contributes to understanding rare bone remodeling disorders affecting the cranium.
Related Concept Videos
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Sutures of the Skull
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Graves Disease II: Pathophysiology
Overview of the Skull
The cranial vault surrounds and protects the brain and houses the middle and inner ear structures. This cavity is bounded superiorly by the rounded top of the skull, which...
Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...

