Title: Morphometric Evaluation of the Frontal Sinus and Nasal Septum as an Aid in Personal and Gender Identification- A Retrospective Digital Radiographic Study

Authors: Dr Varsha Kanjani, Dr Rajeshwari G. Annigeri, Dr Manjunath M. Revanappa, Dr Tejaswini N G, Dr Nimesh Jain, Dr Neha Sharma

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i3.188

Abstract

Introduction: Human skull radiography is a useful tool in identification in natural disaster, in any accidents such as fire accident and road traffic accident where body remains become degraded or severely destroyed. The singularity in the frontal sinus and nasal septum morphology plays salient role in personal identification and gender determination.

Aim: Present study was performed to evaluate the height and width of frontal sinus along with various patterns of frontal sinus (FS) and nasal septum (NS) observed on posterior-anterior (PA) cephalogram for personal identification and gender determination.

Materials and Methods: A total of 140 PA Cephlograms, 70 males and 70 females, above 18 years were selected. The mean height and width of the FS in males and females were determined. FS and NS patterns were evaluated and both patterns were also compared.

Results: In males, the mean height and width of FS were greater than in females. For each individual, patterns were analyzed together. Out of 140 individuals, 113 unique combinations of FS and NS patterns were seen.

Conclusion: The morphologic evaluation of frontal sinus along with frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns can serve as an adjunct to other methods of personal identification and gender determination.

Keywords: Personal identification, Frontal Sinus, Nasal Septum, PA cephalogram.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Varsha Kanjani

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology,

College of Dental Sciences, Davangere, India – 577004

Phone number - 91 8147671525, 91 7019961896,

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