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 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2019  |  Volume : 4  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 73-76

Study of multidetector computed tomography images of the frontal sinuses for human identification: A study in regional indian population


1 Department of Forensic and State Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2 Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Date of Submission15-Sep-2019
Date of Acceptance16-Oct-2019
Date of Web Publication26-Dec-2019

Correspondence Address:
Mr. Saikat Das
Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijfo.ijfo_17_19

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  Abstract 


Background: Growth rate is diverse for different ethnic groups, and for this reason, studies are required to be population specific. To solve controversial identification issues in future, sexual dimorphism in cases of imaging of frontal sinus among the Eastern Indian population needs to be tested.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine sex by studying computed tomography (CT) scan images of the frontal sinus, using discriminant function analysis.
Methodology: We scanned 90 subjects, comprising 30 males and 60 females in the age bracket of 18 and 60 years using the CT scan in the Indian (Bengali) population.
Results: The Wilks' lambda for the model is 0.459 which signifies a good discriminating power of the model. The discriminant function equation is, Df = 0.04 Width + 0.221 Depth + 0.185 Height + 0.059 Frontal Distance −5.574 (constant). Overall, 86.7% of the samples were correctly classified into their group by this model.
Conclusion: This study shows that the accuracy rate of the prediction model for sex estimation using only frontal sinus is average. Further studies are required to conclude that this function can be used for forensic sex determination among the Eastern Indian (Bengali) population.

Keywords: Computed tomography scan, forensic, frontal sinus, identification


How to cite this article:
Chowdhuri S, Das S, GhoshZ R, Patra SS, Thassu I. Study of multidetector computed tomography images of the frontal sinuses for human identification: A study in regional indian population. Int J Forensic Odontol 2019;4:73-6

How to cite this URL:
Chowdhuri S, Das S, GhoshZ R, Patra SS, Thassu I. Study of multidetector computed tomography images of the frontal sinuses for human identification: A study in regional indian population. Int J Forensic Odontol [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 28];4:73-6. Available from: https://www.ijofo.org/text.asp?2019/4/2/73/274049




  Introduction Top


I dentification is one of the most important parts of forensic medicine. It is of utmost importance in case of controversial issues related to various legal problems. Identification becomes of great importance, especially in cases where the bodies have been mutilated. Various bones have been used for anthropological data generation for identification. Recently, the use of antemortem data to develop a database for various regional populations has been initiated. At first, knowledge about human paranasal sinus pneumatization was initially developed by taking anatomical measurements, injecting different materials into cadavers, or performing plain radiography. However, later on, computed tomography (CT) scanning was done in the Korean population to see the paranasal sinus pneumatization.[1]

Nowadays, the introduction of multidetector CT (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging, with thin axial sections and sagittal and coronal reformatted images as well as three-dimensional reconstructions, has allowed a more exact assessment of this structure. Furthermore, the application of morphometric procedures to these radiological images adds a new perspective to this analysis.

The earlier studies done in Western populations have helped to generate data regarding the frontal sinus identification and its use for identification.[2] As the data base of one population cannot be used in another population belonging to a different race, it was the aim of this study to evaluate the significance of MDCT measurement of the frontal sinus in estimating sex in case of the Indian population. It has been reported that the frontal sinus remains intact although the skull and other bones may be badly disfigured in victims who are incinerated.[3] Therefore, the frontal sinus can be used for identification.

Earlier studies have shown that there is a significant sexual dimorphism in cases of imaging of frontal sinus in other populations.[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9]

The objective of our study is to examine whether such dimorphism exists in the Indian population and whether a database can be built in future based on these findings. This database if feasible can help to solve controversial identification issues in future.


  Methodology Top


Study participants

The present work was conducted by the examiners of the Department of Forensic and State Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata. The study was conducted on 90 patients, in the age group of 18–60 years, comprising 30 males and 60 females, brought for CT scan examination of paranasal sinus for various reasons, at Calcutta National Medical College digital CT scan center. The duration of the study was 6 months. Proper informed consent was obtained from the patient/next of kin. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Calcutta National Medical College; no additional radiation exposure was given to the study participants.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals who gave their consent for this study
  • Normal cases without pathology of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).


Exclusion criteria

  • Cases with pathological changes in the PNS
  • Unclear CT scan images.


Methods

The CT scan was performed on 16 Slice Alexion Machine (Toshiba, Japan) at the CT scan center of Calcutta National Medical College campus. A routine thoracic CT protocol was followed. All scans were taken with the following parameters: tube voltage: 120 kV, effective 120 mA, and slice thickness: 1 mm. All the axial [Figure 1] and coronal [Figure 2] images were transferred to a commercially available workstation. On the workstation, multiplane reformatting of images in the sagittal and coronal planes was obtained using commercially available software (RadiAnt DICOM Viewer).
Figure 1: Axial computed tomography showing the frontal sinus width (a) and frontal sinus depth (b)

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Figure 2: Coronal computed tomography scan showing the frontal sinus height (a) and the distance between the highest points of the two sinuses (b)

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Parameters studied from the images are[10],[11]

  • The frontal sinus transverse length (width) was measured from the axial image
  • The frontal sinus anteroposterior length (depth) was measured from the axial image
  • The height of the frontal sinus was obtained from the coronal section
  • The distance between the highest points of the two sinuses was obtained from the coronal section (Frontal Distance).


Statistical analysis

All the data were collected, compiled, and subjected to suitable statistical analysis using appropriate methods (discriminant function). The results are presented using tables and diagrams. Finally, the findings will be critically studied on the background of present knowledge and the experience of the past work.


  Results Top


This study consisted of data from 90 study participants from 18 to 60 years, comprising 30 males and 60 females [Table 1]. On comparing the measurements [showing mean, minimum, and maximum in [Table 2], we found that all the dimensions were greater in male than female. Discriminant function was performed using the data from the measurements of the frontal sinus. The Wilks' lambda was 0.459 [Table 3], with significance value being 0.000. Receiver operating characteristic curve also showed good discrimination function between male and female.
Table 1: Descriptive statistics of age of the study population

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Table 2: Comparing the measurements (mm) according to their sex

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Table 3: Power of the study determined by Wilks' lambda

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The discrimination function equation is, Df = 0.04 Width + 0.221 Depth + 0.185 Height + 0.059 F. Distance − 5.574 (constant), as shown in [Table 4].
Table 4: Coefficients contributing to the differentiation of sex

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The cutoff point is 1.517 − 0.758/2 = 0.3795, as shown in [Table 5]. Hence, above this value 0.3795, the cases are male. Below this value 0.3795, the cases are female. Overall, 86.7% of the samples were correctly classified as male or female by this model [Table 6]. Cross-validated results showed 85.6% of the cases correctly classified by this model. After the results were used to get a discriminant equation, the formula was used on a separate sample of 20 cases to validate the results.
Table 5: Cutoff values for determination of sex

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Table 6: Predictive classification of sex

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  Discussion Top


The frontal sinus is one of the most unique structures that can be found in the human body. In cases of various dismemberment of body in aviation accidents or mass graves where only the skull is available for sex estimation, forensic experts have used methods based on the measurement of various bone parameters. They have focused mostly on denser bones and the most inaccessible paranasal sinuses.[12],[13],[14],[15] The paranasal sinuses usually complete their growth by 18 years of age. Hence, in our study, we have only included persons of more than 18 years of age, keeping this fact in mind. To determine the reliability and reproducibility of the frontal sinus measurements, intra- and interobserver variation was assessed. A comparison of the measurements showed no significant statistical difference.

After analyzing the data, it is seen that only in 8% of cases, bilateral aplasia is seen. This is in congruence to the study done by Soman et al.[16] The discriminant function conducted by Teke et al.[17] on the Turkish population to determine the usefulness of maxillary sinuses in sex estimation showed an accuracy of 69.3%. Similarly, the study by Uthman et al.[7] in the Iraqi population showed an accuracy of 71.6% and that by Attia et al.[18] on Egyptians showed an accuracy of 69.9%. In contrast to that, our study which has used discriminant function on the frontal sinus has shown accuracy of 85.6%, which shows that the frontal sinus has better discriminating power than the maxillary sinus. This is in congruence with the study on Brazilian population by Camargo et al.,[19] which showed an accuracy of 79.7% in case of sex estimation from the frontal sinus. Uthman et al.[17] also showed similar results in case of frontal sinus with an accuracy of 76.9%. The accuracy of sex estimation in the South Indian population by Belaldavar et al.,[20] though, varied in the range of 59.4%–64.6%.

Uthman et al.[11] in 2010 had shown that the accuracy rate was improved with the addition of cranial measurements. However, the cranial measurements were not included in our study. The cranial measurements could have improved the model further.


  Conclusion Top


This study shows that the accuracy rate of the prediction model using only frontal sinus is average. Thus, it can only be used as an adjunctive method for age estimation. Further studies are required in the Eastern Indian population to determine the actual accuracy rate in case of sex estimation from the frontal sinus.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

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Karakas S, Kavakli A. Morphometric examination of the paranasal sinuses and mastoid air cells using computed tomography. Ann Saudi Med 2005;25:41-5.  Back to cited text no. 1
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2.
Cameriere R, Ferrante L, Mirtella D, Rollo FU, Cingolani M. Frontal sinuses for identification: Quality of classifications, possible error and potential corrections. J Forensic Sci 2005;50:770-3.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
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Sánchez Fernández JM, Anta Escuredo JA, Sánchez Del Rey A, Santaolalla Montoya F. Morphometric study of the paranasal sinuses in normal and pathological conditions. Acta Otolaryngol 2000;120:273-8.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
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Emirzeoglu M, Sahin B, Bilgic S, Celebi M, Uzun A. Volumetric evaluation of the paranasal sinuses in normal subjects using computer tomography images: A stereological study. Auris Nasus Larynx 2007;34:191-5.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
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Reichs KJ. Quantified comparison of frontal sinus patterns by means of computed tomography. Forensic Sci Int 1993;61:141-68.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Uthman AT, Al-Rawi NH, Al-Naaimi AS, Al-Timimi JF. Evaluation of maxillary sinus dimensions in gender determination using helical CT scanning. J Forensic Sci 2011;56:403-8.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Cesarani F, Martina MC, Ferraris A, Grilletto R, Boano R, Marochetti EF, et al. Whole-body three-dimensional multidetector CT of 13 Egyptian human mummies. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2003;180:597-606.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
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Kim HJ, Yoon HR, Kim KD, Kang MK, Kwak HH, Park HD, et al. Personal-computer-based three-dimensional reconstruction and simulation of maxillary sinus. Surg Radiol Anat 2003;24:393-9.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
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Hamed S, El-Badrawy AM, Abdel Fattah SH. Gender identification from frontal sinus using multi-detector computed tomography. JOFRI 2014;2:117-20.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Uthman AT, Al-Rawi NH, Al-Naaimi AS, Tawfeeq AS, Suhail EH. Evaluation of frontal sinus and skull measurements using spiral CT scanning: An aid in unknown person identification. Forensic Sci Int 2010;197:124.e1-7.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
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Rothwell BR. Principles of dental identification. Dent Clin North Am 2001;45:253-70.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
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Thompson T, Black S. Forensic Human Identification. USA: CRC Press; 2007.  Back to cited text no. 13
    
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Amin MF, Hassan EI. Sex identification in Egyptian population using multidetector computed tomography of the maxillary sinus. J Forensic Leg Med 2012;19:65-9.  Back to cited text no. 14
    
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Lerno P. Identification using the maxillary sinus. Chir Dent Fr 1983;53:39-40.  Back to cited text no. 15
    
16.
Soman BA, Sujatha GP, Lingappa A. Morphometric evaluation of the frontal sinus in relation to age and gender in subjects residing in Davangere, Karnataka. J Forensic Dent Sci 2016;8:57.  Back to cited text no. 16
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17.
Teke HY, Duran S, Canturk N, Canturk G. Determination of gender by measuring the size of the maxillary sinuses in computerized tomography scans. Surg Radiol Anat 2007;29:9-13.  Back to cited text no. 17
    
18.
Attia AM, Badrawy AM, Shebel HM. Gender identification from maxillary sinus using multi-detector computed tomography. Mansoura J Forensic Med Clin Toxicol 2012;20:17-26.  Back to cited text no. 18
    
19.
Camargo JR, Daruge E, Prado FB, Caria PF, Alves MC, Fetal Silva R. The frontal sinus morphology in radiographs of Brazilian subjects: Its forensic importance. Braz J Morphol Sci 2007;24:239-43.  Back to cited text no. 19
    
20.
Belaldavar C, Kotrashetti VS, Hallikerimath SR, Kale AD. Assessment of frontal sinus dimensions to determine sexual dimorphism among Indian adults. J Forensic Dent Sci 2014;6:25-30.  Back to cited text no. 20
[PUBMED]  [Full text]  


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]



 

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