|
 
 |
| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 2 | Page : 47-52 |
|
Combined use of frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns as an aid in forensics: A digital radiographic study
Pradhuman Verma1, Kanika Gupta Verma2, Rameen Khosa1, Sandeep Kumar3, Suman Basavaraju4, Nitin Patwardhan5
1 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, India
2 Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, India
3 Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences, Sehora, Jammu, India
4 Department of Periodontics, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeswara Dental College, Mysore, Karnataka, India
5 Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthankar Mahavir University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| Date of Web Publication | 25-Feb-2015 |
Correspondence Address:
Pradhuman Verma
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Surendera Dental College and Research Institute, Sriganganagar - 335 001, Rajasthan
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1947-2714.152078
Background: Skull radiographic examination is a potentially useful procedure for the personal identification in cases where fragments of skull persist with no likelihood of identification based on dental arch. Aims: The study was to determine the uniqueness and reliability of combined frontal sinus (FS) and nasal septum (NS) patterns as observed on posterioanterior (PA) cephalograms for personal identification. Materials and Methods: The randomly selected 149 digital PA cephalograms taken on Kodak 8000C Digital Panoramic and Cephalometric system were evaluated for patterns of FS and NS. Also the distribution of lobulations, area, and ratio of height/width of FS was calculated. The data obtained was statistical analyzed using Pearson's coefficient correlation. Results: FS symmetry was observed in 78.5% and asymmetry in 7.3% subjects. Bilateral aplasia was noticed in 5.3% and unilateral aplasia in 8.7% of subjects. The total lobulation of FS was noted more in males on both sides while center lobes were observed slightly more in females. The straight NS was maximally seen followed by reverse sigmoid. The mean ratio of width/height of FS was observed more in males and highly significant correlation was observed with both sexes. The mean area of FS was noted more in males. There was significant correlation found between patterns of NS and FS except in right dominated asymmetrical FS. Conclusion: The combined use of FS and NS patterns could be used as method for identification by exclusion in forensics. Keywords: Frontal sinus, Nasal septum, Personal identification, PA cephalograms
How to cite this article:
Verma P, Verma KG, Khosa R, Kumar S, Basavaraju S, Patwardhan N. Combined use of frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns as an aid in forensics: A digital radiographic study. North Am J Med Sci 2015;7:47-52 |
How to cite this URL:
Verma P, Verma KG, Khosa R, Kumar S, Basavaraju S, Patwardhan N. Combined use of frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns as an aid in forensics: A digital radiographic study. North Am J Med Sci [serial online] 2015 [cited 2023 Mar 22];7:47-52. Available from: https://www.najms.org/text.asp?2015/7/2/47/152078 |
| Introduction | |  |
The radiographic comparative analysis, in which antemortem and postmortem records are compared, is frequently used for personnel identification either in human remains or in living persons. [1] Particular attention has been paid to the skull where several structures have the potential to identify an individual, including teeth, frontal sinuses (FS), mastoid processes, sella turcica, vascular groove patterns, nasal septum. The FS are paired, irregular-shaped air-containing chambers, lined by mucoperiosteum, and are located between the outer and inner tables of the frontal bone, posterior to the supercilliary arches, and at the roof of the nose. [2] They are seldom symmetrical. They point upwards beyond the middle part of the supercilious and backwards to the medial part of the orbital roof. The sinuses are divided into several recesses, which communicate with each other through incomplete bony septa. [3] The FS makes the skull lighter and add resonance to the voice. Occasionally, one or both sinuses may be absent. The FS become radiographically evident at the age of 5 or 6 years and develop fully by the age of 20 years. The posterioanterior (PA) skull projection is designed to provide a clear view of the frontal and ethmoid sinuses without loss of definition by superimposition of portions of the sphenoid bone. The FS alone has the clearest silhouette in this projection and presents the least chance for error in interpretation.
Schuller [4] suggested that the FS are slightly bigger in males than in females, and the presence of metopic suture is associated with the absence of FS. Some factors can modify the normal anatomy of the FS such as fractures, neoplasias, severe infections, growth hormone level, and mucoceles. In the forensic field, FS is a very convenient part of the human skeleton for personal identification. It is reported that no two persons have identical FS, including identical twins. [5] Other useful features include its relatively stable and resilient structure during adult life. [6] The FS has very strong walls and is preserved intact in human remains as its internal bony structure and arched nature protect it from damage and decomposition. [7] It has been suggested that FS radiographic size and patterns have a potential to be used as aids for personal identification, age, and sex estimation. [8]
The nasal septum (NS) is the bone and cartilage in the nose that separates the nasal cavity into the two nostrils. The cartilage is called the quadrangular cartilage and the bones comprising the septum include the maxillary crest, vomer and the perpendicular plate of the ethmoid. Normally, the septum lies centrally, and thus the nasal passages are symmetrical. A deviated NS is an abnormal condition in which the top of the cartilaginous ridge leans to the left/right or takes sigmoidal/reverse sigmoidal shape. [9] These patterns are stable throughout the adult life and are clearly visible on PA skull views.
This study was undertaken to examine the combined variations in patterns of FS and NS as observed on a PA cephalogram and to use the data in personal identification.
| Materials and Methods | | |
The study was conducted on patients coming for orthodontic treatment, in Surendera Dental College & Research Institute, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, from March to August 2014. The 149 randomly selected patients comprised 74 males and 75 females aged between 20 to 45 years (mean age 26.01 ± 0.23 years). The exclusion criteria included non-visualization of the FS or NS on radiograph, history of trauma or surgery of the skull or nose, any pathology affecting the nasal cavity or FS, frontal rhinosinusitis, endocrinal or metabolic disorder affecting the growth, and development of FS or nose and syndromic patients. All the subjects were briefed about the purpose of study and a written informed consent was obtained. Institutional ethical approval was obtained to carry out the study.
A clinical examination was carried out for each patient and the selected patients were subjected to PA cephalometry using "Kodak 8000C Digital Panoramic and Cephalometric system" with exposure parameters of 74 kVp, 10 mA, and 13 seconds.
The selected radiographs were analyzed for FS and NS patterns by single Oral and Maxillofacial radiologist. The FS was classified according to symmetry as symmetrical, right or left dominant asymmetry, unilateral (right or left) and bilateral aplasia. [Figure 1] The greatest horizontal dimension was measured from the central septum on both sides. The difference in the right and left side dimensions was divided by the greatest dimension and multiplied by 100. If the result was more than 20%, then it was classified as asymmetrical. The number and highest point of lobulation including both sides and center were also recorded. The measurements were taken in mm using 6.12.24.0 Kodak Dental Imaging software according to the sequence:
- Draw a line directly between both the orbital cavities, at the nasofrontal suture.
- The diameter of the FS at the widest points that was the distance between two projected lines that delineate the maximum lateral limits of the right and left FS.
- The height was measured by drawing a parallel line to the nasofrontal line at the highest superior point of the frontal sinuses.
- Measure the distance between the both.
 | Figure 1: Various frontal sinus patterns (a) symmetrical (b) left dominated asymmetry (c) right dominated asymmetry (d) unilateral aplasia (e) bilateral aplasia, R = Right side
Click here to view |
The measurements were accomplished according to the parameters [10] as: Only air-filled cavities were considered; two equally high points, measure the one closer to the intersinus septum; when the highest point was located at a large open curve lobulation, measure the point at the middle of the lobulation; when the highest point was located at a plateau lobulation measure the middle of the plateau.
The NS patterns were recorded according to the features of deviation as seen on radiograph as: Straight (S), simple deviation to the left (L) or right (R), sigmoid type (RL), reverse sigmoid type (LR), and others (epsilon- and reverse epsilon-type; rare types) [Figure 2]. | Figure 2: Various nasal septum patterns (a) straight (b) right deviated (c) left deviated (d) sigmoid (e) reverse sigmoid, R = right side
Click here to view |
Statistical analysis
The data obtained were tabulated and input to Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The correlation between various parameters of FS and NS was obtained using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Two tailed t-test.
| Results | | |
The FS symmetry was observed in 78.5% of the individuals (58 males and 59 females) while asymmetry was observed in 7.3% of the subjects (6 males and 5 females). The FS bilateral aplasia was seen in 5.3% (4 males and 4 females) and unilateral aplasia was observed in 8.7% of the subjects. The highest point of the FS lobulations was noted on the left side (53.9%) followed by the right (28.4%) and center (17.7%) [Table 1]. | Table 1: Distribution and correlation between frontal sinus patt erns with both the genders and highest point
of sinus lobulation
Click here to view |
The total number of right and left lobulations was higher in males while center lobes were observed slightly more often in females. The maximum numbers of lobes were observed in the FS symmetrical pattern, followed by left asymmetrical and right asymmetrical patterns. A highly significant correlation was observed between distribution of lobes and different patterns of FS. Also, a significant correlation was noted for distribution of lobes and both sexes (P = 0.001) [Table 2]. | Table 2: Distribution and correlation of frontal sinus lobes with gender and patt erns of frontal sinus
Click here to view |
The observed order of NS patterns decreased from straight NS (40.9%), to reverse sigmoid (28.2%), sigmoid (20.1%), right deviated (8.05%), and left deviated (2.7%). No other NS pattern was observed in this study. A significant correlation was found between various patterns of NS and FS except in right dominated asymmetrical FS (P > 0.05) [Table 3]. | Table 3: Correlation of different patt erns of frontal sinus and nasal septum
Click here to view |
The dimensions (width, height, and area) of FS were assessed in both the sexes. The mean width (46.93 ± 6.43 mm) and height (28.54 ± 3.67 mm) of FS was noted more in males. Also, the mean ratio of width/height of FS was observed more in males. A highly significant correlation was observed in both the sexes and ratio of width/height of FS. The mean area of FS was more in males than females [Table 4]. | Table 4: Correlation between male and female for frontal sinus dimensions
Click here to view |
| Discussion | | |
The uniqueness of FS was initially observed by Zukerkandl [11] in 1875 due to its asymmetrical morphology. In 1927, Culbert and Law described the first human identification through morphological analysis of FS that was accepted in a United States court of law. [12] The study was conducted on subjects of 20 years and above, as the growth of FS completes in both sexes by that age. The selection of age conformed to earlier studies by Camarago et al.,[13] and David et al.[14] The present study utilized PA cephalogram as FS and NS patterns could be easily assessed with minimal distortion from a single standardized radiograph, if previous records are available.
During the fetal period, the FS and posterior ethmoidal cells are still rudimentary surrounded by cartilage. It is possible that earlier ossification of the cartilage will interfere with their further development, manifesting as a hypoplastic or aplastic sinus. In the present study, the bilateral aplasia of FS was 5.4% whereas Tang et al.,[15] reported non-existence of FS in Chinese Han population to be 16.6%, White and Pharoah [16] had mentioned FS absence in 4%. Similarly, Ponde et al.,[17] had found aplasia of 24.7% in their study. A highly significant correlation was found between the aplasia of FS and both sexes in the present study whereas no significant difference was found by Verma et al.[18] In our study, the symmetry of FS was found in 78.5% of subjects, whereas Taniguchi et al.,[19] obtained 43.1% symmetry in the Japanese population and in a study by David and Saxena [14] symmetry of FS was reported in 58% of the subjects. The unilateral aplasia was seen in 8.7% subjects. The results were consistent with those of Krogman et al.,[20] studies. The discrepancy between the frequency in our population and other populations may be due to the number of patients examined, the patient sample, the difference in examining techniques and equipment. In addition, individual health and environmental factors control the FS configuration within each population, contributing to its variability.
In accordance with previous studies, the mean width, height and area of FS in males was significantly larger than females. [21] Morphological differences in the cranium between both sexes are determined mainly by genetic factors which might be the reason for larger FS in males. [22] According to Prossinger and Bookstein, [23] the estimated maximum growth rates of FS for males occur 3.02 years later than females. This variability is considered to be a useful tool in forensic identification.
Varied nasal septum deviation forms were seen in our study. The straight NS was maximally seen followed by reverse sigmoidal. These results are in accordance with Taniguchi et al.,[19] and David and Saxena [14] studies. Genetic factors, trauma, compression of nose during childbirth, some genetic connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Homocystinuria cause deviated NS. In the present study, all other causes were ruled out except genetic.
In the present study, the highest point of FS was located maximally at the left cavity (53.9%), whereas Rubira-Bullen et al.,[24] found it over midline (78%). Gulisano et al.,[25] observed that left FS lobes tend to be larger than the right ones, a fact that could be observed by Ponde et al.,[3] though they did not find any difference between the sexes.
There was a significant correlation found between various patterns of NS and FS except in right dominated asymmetrical FS (P > 0.05). These results were in accordance with Taniguchi M et al.,[19] studies, hence it has been suggested that the combined use of different FS and NS patterns contributes to a more precise identification than using either pattern alone.
The current study has a few limitations. First, only individuals age 20 years and above were considered due to the varying FS size in childhood development. Second, area was measured by a mathematical method, thus a more precise measuring tool should be used with less margin of error.
| Conclusion | | |
A significant correlation was found between patterns of NS and FS except in right dominated asymmetrical FS pattern, hence combined use of FS and NS patterns could strongly be used in forensics for identification by exclusion.
| References | | |
| 1. | Rainio J, Lalu K, Ranta H, Penttila A. Radiology in forensic expert team operations. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2001;3:34-43.  |
| 2. | Yanagisawa E, Smith HM. Radiographic anatomy of the paranasal sinuses. IV. Caldwell view. Arch Otolaryngol 1968;87:109-20. |
| 3. | Ponde JM, Andrade RN, Via JM, Metzger P, Tales AC. Anatomical variations of the frontal sinus. Int J Morphol 2008;26:803-8. |
| 4. | Schuller A. A note on the identification of skull X ray pictures of the frontal sinus. Med J Aust 1943;25:554-6. |
| 5. | Patil N, Karjodkar FR, Sontakke S, Sansare K, Salvi R. Uniqueness of radiographic patterns of the frontal sinus for personal identification. Imaging Sci Dent 2012;42:213-7. |
| 6. | Cox M, Malcolm M, Fairgrieve SI. A new digital method for the objective comparison of frontal sinuses for identification. J Forensic Sci 2009;54:761-72. [ PUBMED] |
| 7. | Nambiar P, Naidu MD, Subramaniam K. Anatomical variability of the frontal sinuses and their application in forensic identification. Clin Anat 1999;12:16-9. |
| 8. | Yoshino M, Miyasaka S, Sato H, Seta S. Classification system of frontal sinus patterns by radiography. Its application to identification of unknown skeletal remains. Forensic Sci Int 1987;34:289-99. [ PUBMED] |
| 9. | Grymer LF, Melson B. The morphology of the nasal septum in identical twins. Laryngoscope 1989;99:642-6. |
| 10. | Ribeiro Fde A. Standardized measurements of radiographic films of the frontal sinuses: An aid to identifying unknown persons. Ear Nose Throat J 2000;79:26-8, 30, 32-3. |
| 11. | Zukerkandl E, Lichtwitz L, Garnault P. Anatomy of the frontal sinus. In normal and pathological anatomy of the nasal cavity.Vol 1, 3 rd ed. Paris: G Masson; 1895. p. 349-61. |
| 12. | Culbert WI, Law FM. Identification by comparison of roentgenograms of nasal accessory sinuses and mastoid processes. J Am Med Assoc 1927;88:1634-6. |
| 13. | Camargo JR, Daruge E, Prado FB, Caria PH, Alves MC, Silva RF, et al. The frontal sinus morphology in radiographs of Brazilian subjects: Its forensic importance. Braz J Morphol Sci 2007;24:239-43. |
| 14. | David MP, Saxena R. Use of frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns as an aid in personal identification: A digital radiographic pilot study. J Forensic Dent Sci 2010; 2:77-80. [ PUBMED]  |
| 15. | Tang JP, Hu DY, Jiang FH, Yu XJ. Assessing forensic applications of the frontal sinus in a Chinese Han population. Forensic Sci Int 2009;183:104.e1-3. |
| 16. | Pharoah MJ, White SC. Oral radiology principles and interpretation. In: Ruprecht A, Ernest WN, editors. Paranasal Sinuses. 5 th ed. China: Mosby; 2004. p. 577. |
| 17. | Ponde JM, Metzger P, Amaral G, Machado M, Prandini M. Anatomical variations of the frontal sinus. Minim Invasive Neurosurg 2003;46:29-32. |
| 18. | Verma S, Mahima VG, Patil K. Radiomorphometric analysis of frontal sinus for sex determination. J Forensic Dent Sci 2014;6:177-82. [ PUBMED] |
| 19. | Tanigichi M, Sakoda S, Kano T, Zhu BL, Kamikodai Y, Fujita MQ, et al. Possible use of nasal septum and frontal sinus patterns to radiographic identification of unknown human remains. Osaka City Med J 2003;49:31-8. |
| 20. | Krogman WM. The human skeleton in forensic medicine. Vol 20, 2 nd ed. Springfield III: Thomas; 1962. |
| 21. | Brown WA, Molleson TI, Chinn S. Enlargement of the frontal sinus. Ann Hum Biol 1984;11:221-6. [ PUBMED] |
| 22. | Quatrehomme G, Fronty P, Sapanet M, Grevin G, Bailet P, Ollier A. Identification by frontal sinus pattern in forensic anthropology. Forensic Sci Int 1996;83:147-53. |
| 23. | Prossinger H, Bookstein FL. Statistical estimators of frontal sinus cross section ontogeny from very noisy data. J Morphol 2003;257:1-8. |
| 24. | Rubira-Bullen IR, Rubira CM, Sarmento VA, Azevedo RA. Frontal sinus on facial plain radiographs. J Morphol Sci 2010;27:77-81. |
| 25. | Gulisano M, Pacini P, Orlandini GE. Frontal sinus dimensions in relation to the cranial index: Anatomo-radilogic findings. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 1978;54:66-9. [ PUBMED] |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRYPTS STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE CECUM PERIVULNAR AREA BY USING DESMOSIN SURGICAL THREAD |
|
| M. M. Kobeniak, O. M. Pronina | | Bulletin of Problems Biology and Medicine. 2023; 1(4): 296 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 2 |
Distribution of frontal sinus pattern amongst Malaysian population: a skull radiograph study |
|
| Nur Damia Iwani Zulkiflee, Mansharan Kaur Chainchel Singh, Aspalilah Alias, Helmi Mohd Hadi Pritam, Eric Chung, Rani Sakaran, Nurul Hannim Zaidun, Choy Ker Woon | | Anatomy & Cell Biology. 2022; 55(3): 294 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 3 |
Pottęs puffy tumor in a 23-month-old: Youngest known case of a rare disease |
|
| Omar A. Karadaghy,Jacob C. Lucas,Shahnawaz Paroya,Daniel Jensen | | Auris Nasus Larynx. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 4 |
Resorbable versus titanium hardware for rigid fixation of pediatric upper and midfacial fractures: which carries a lower risk profile? |
|
| Pontell ME,Niklinska EB,Braun SA,Jaeger N,Kelly KJ,Golinko MS | | Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 5 |
Resonance Effect of the Frontal Sinus on Ocular Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potential Recordings |
|
| Kuei-You Lin, Fu-Shan Jaw, Yi-Ho Young | | Ear & Hearing. 2021; Publish Ah | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 6 |
Specific oral and maxillofacial identifiers in panoramic radiographs used for human identification |
|
| Han Du,Min Li,Gang Li,Tu Lyu,Xue-mei Tian | | Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 7 |
Frontal sinuses as tools for human identification: a systematic review of imaging methods |
|
| Julia Gabriela Dietrichkeit Pereira,Juliane Bustamante Sį Santos,Silmara Pereira de Sousa,Ademir Franco,Ricardo Henrique Alves Silva | | Dentomaxillofacial Radiology. 2021; : 20200599 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 8 |
Analysis of Frontal Sinuses for Personal Identification in a Chinese Sample Using a New Code Number |
|
| Roberto Cameriere,Roberto Scendoni,Zitong Lin,Chantal Milani,Luz Andrea Velandia Palacio,Marika Turiello,Luigi Ferrante | | Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2019; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 9 |
Radiomorphometric evaluation of the frontal sinus in relation to age and gender in Saudi population |
|
| Ayesha Shireen,Saurabh Goel,IffatM Ahmed,AbrarM Sabeh,Wafaa Mahmoud | | Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry. 2019; 0(0): 0 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 10 |
An innovative 3D-3D superimposition for assessing anatomical uniqueness of frontal sinuses through segmentation on CT scans |
|
| Daniele Gibelli,Michaela Cellina,Annalisa Cappella,Stefano Gibelli,Marta Maria Panzeri,Antonio Giancarlo Oliva,Giovanni Termine,Danilo De Angelis,Cristina Cattaneo,Chiarella Sforza | | International Journal of Legal Medicine. 2018; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 11 |
Frontal Sinus Development and Juvenile Age Estimation |
|
| Kaitlin Moore,Ann Ross | | The Anatomical Record. 2017; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 12 |
The age-dependent changes of sella turcica, frontal and sphenoid sinuses |
|
| Yu. I. Pigolkin,M. Corro,G. V. Zolotenkova | | Sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza. 2016; 59(6): 48 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
 |
|
|
|
Search Pubmed for