“Assessment of frontal sinus dimensions using CBCT to determine sexual dimorphism amongst Egyptian population”

Abstract

Abstract Background Personal identification remains a major task of forensic practice. A rapid and reliable method in this respect will be very helpful. Aim To test frontal sinus as a system for personal identification using cone beam computerized tomography. Subjects and methods The authors examined cone beam CT scans of skulls of 53 subjects (29 male and 24 female) of age range 20–58 years, who had neither apparent sinonasal pathology nor history of head trauma. The simple features of frontal sinus were recorded. Selected measurements for the right and left areas of the sinus were recorded. All the features and measurements were coded by the authors for each case, then compared and statistically analyzed. Results No two persons had the same frontal sinus measurements. Frontal sinus shape, size and measurements were unique for every individual. Significant differences between males and females in frontal sinus measurements were demonstrated. Frontal sinus gave accuracy of 76.7% to inform about gender. Conclusion Frontal sinus examination is a valuable tool for personal identification and gender differentiation, Cone beam CT examination in addition to being a safe procedure with minimal radiation exposure, proved to be highly accurate in sinus imaging and provide valuable and precise information about frontal sinus and the whole skull. Limitations Frontal sinus identification requires comparison with previous antemortem image which is not routinely done in many countries.