Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Head & Face Medicine 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Research

The dimensional and morphological assessment of the frontal sinus in sex estimation among different populations

Authors: Bowen Zheng, Yuan Zhong, Nassem Ali Al-Worafi, Yi Liu

Published in: Head & Face Medicine | Issue 1/2023

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The purpose of the present study was to determine the dimorphic potential of the frontal sinus (FS) index, area, and the combination of both variables to ascertain its accuracy in sex discrimination among Bosnian, Chinese, and Nepalese.

Methods

A retrospective study analyzed the digital standardized lateral cephalometric of 654 Bosnian, Chinese, and Nepalese adult patients (116 females, 102 males; age range 17–40 years). The following FS parameters were analyzed: The maximum height, width, and area of the FS, and the ratio of height and width was calculated as the FS index. The measurements were analyzed using logistic regression analysis for the FS index, area, and combined FS index and area.

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed between the mean values of the FS index and the area between females and males in each population. The highest frequency of bilateral absence of FS was detected among females, specifically in Chinese (6.6%). Logistic regression equation derived from the present study differentiated between sexes with higher classification percentages for the FS index and area with 62.4%, 75.2%, and 78.4% among Bosnian, Chinese, and Nepalese subjects, respectively.

Conclusions

The results of the present study highlight the implications of the combined FS index and area as a reliable approach in sex estimation in forensic science whenever both the FS structure and lateral cephalometric are available.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Williams BA, Rogers TL. Evaluating the accuracy and precision of cranial morphological traits for sex determination. J Forensic Sci. 2006;51:729–35.CrossRefPubMed Williams BA, Rogers TL. Evaluating the accuracy and precision of cranial morphological traits for sex determination. J Forensic Sci. 2006;51:729–35.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Luo H, Wang J, Zhang S, Mi C. The application of frontal sinus index and frontal sinus area in sex estimation based on lateral cephalograms among Han nationality adults in Xinjiang. J Forensic Leg Med. 2018;56:1–4.CrossRefPubMed Luo H, Wang J, Zhang S, Mi C. The application of frontal sinus index and frontal sinus area in sex estimation based on lateral cephalograms among Han nationality adults in Xinjiang. J Forensic Leg Med. 2018;56:1–4.CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Rogers TL. Determining the sex of human remains through cranial morphology. J Forensic Sci. 2005;50:1–8. Rogers TL. Determining the sex of human remains through cranial morphology. J Forensic Sci. 2005;50:1–8.
4.
go back to reference Quatrehomme G, Fronty P, Sapanet M, et al. Identification by frontal sinus pattern in forensic anthropology. Forensic Sci Int. 1996;83:147–53.CrossRefPubMed Quatrehomme G, Fronty P, Sapanet M, et al. Identification by frontal sinus pattern in forensic anthropology. Forensic Sci Int. 1996;83:147–53.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Prossinger H. Sexually dimorphic ontogenetic trajectories of frontal sinus cross sections. Coll Antropol. 2001;25:1–11.PubMed Prossinger H. Sexually dimorphic ontogenetic trajectories of frontal sinus cross sections. Coll Antropol. 2001;25:1–11.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Reichs KJ. Quantified comparison of frontal sinus patterns by means of computed tomography. Forensic Sci Int. 1993;61:141–68.CrossRefPubMed Reichs KJ. Quantified comparison of frontal sinus patterns by means of computed tomography. Forensic Sci Int. 1993;61:141–68.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Da Silva RF, Prado FB, Caputo IGC, et al. The forensic importance of frontal sinus radiographs. J Forensic Leg Med. 2009;16:18–23. Da Silva RF, Prado FB, Caputo IGC, et al. The forensic importance of frontal sinus radiographs. J Forensic Leg Med. 2009;16:18–23.
8.
go back to reference Christensen AM. Testing the reliability of frontal sinuses in positive identification. J Forensic Sci. 2005;50:JFS2004145–5. Christensen AM. Testing the reliability of frontal sinuses in positive identification. J Forensic Sci. 2005;50:JFS2004145–5.
9.
go back to reference De Andrade Quintanilha Ribeiro F. Standardized measurements of radiographic films of the frontal sinuses: an aid to identifying unknown persons. Ear Nose Throat J. 2000;79:26–33.CrossRef De Andrade Quintanilha Ribeiro F. Standardized measurements of radiographic films of the frontal sinuses: an aid to identifying unknown persons. Ear Nose Throat J. 2000;79:26–33.CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Ramaswamy P, Khaitan T. Frontal sinus index–A new tool for sex determination. J Forensic Radiol Imaging. 2014;2:77–9.CrossRef Ramaswamy P, Khaitan T. Frontal sinus index–A new tool for sex determination. J Forensic Radiol Imaging. 2014;2:77–9.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Tatlisumak E, Ovali GY, Aslan A, et al. Identification of unknown bodies by using CT images of frontal sinus. Forensic Sci Int. 2007;166:42–8.CrossRefPubMed Tatlisumak E, Ovali GY, Aslan A, et al. Identification of unknown bodies by using CT images of frontal sinus. Forensic Sci Int. 2007;166:42–8.CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Kim D, Lee U, Park S, et al. Identification using frontal sinus by three-dimensional reconstruction from computed tomography. J Forensic Sci. 2013;58:5–12.CrossRefPubMed Kim D, Lee U, Park S, et al. Identification using frontal sinus by three-dimensional reconstruction from computed tomography. J Forensic Sci. 2013;58:5–12.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Nambiar P, Naidu MDK, Subramaniam K. Anatomical variability of the frontal sinuses and their application in forensic identification. Clin Anat. 1999;12:16–9.CrossRefPubMed Nambiar P, Naidu MDK, Subramaniam K. Anatomical variability of the frontal sinuses and their application in forensic identification. Clin Anat. 1999;12:16–9.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Buyuk SK, Karaman A, Yasa Y. Association between frontal sinus morphology and craniofacial parameters: A forensic view. J Forensic Leg Med. 2017;49:20–3.CrossRefPubMed Buyuk SK, Karaman A, Yasa Y. Association between frontal sinus morphology and craniofacial parameters: A forensic view. J Forensic Leg Med. 2017;49:20–3.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Kirk NJ, Wood RE, Goldstein M. Skeletal identification using the frontal sinus region: a retrospective study of 39 cases. J Forensic Sci. 2002;47:318–23.CrossRefPubMed Kirk NJ, Wood RE, Goldstein M. Skeletal identification using the frontal sinus region: a retrospective study of 39 cases. J Forensic Sci. 2002;47:318–23.CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Patil AA, Revankar A, v,. Reliability of the frontal sinus index as a maturity indicator. Indian J Dent Res. 2013;24:523.CrossRefPubMed Patil AA, Revankar A, v,. Reliability of the frontal sinus index as a maturity indicator. Indian J Dent Res. 2013;24:523.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Tehranchi A, Motamedian SR, Saedi S, et al. Correlation between frontal sinus dimensions and cephalometric indices: A cross-sectional study. Eur J Dent. 2017;11:64–70.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Tehranchi A, Motamedian SR, Saedi S, et al. Correlation between frontal sinus dimensions and cephalometric indices: A cross-sectional study. Eur J Dent. 2017;11:64–70.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
18.
go back to reference Choi IGG, Duailibi-Neto EF, Beaini TL, et al. The frontal sinus cavity exhibits sexual dimorphism in 3D cone-beam CT images and can be used for sex determination. J Forensic Sci. 2018;63:692–8.CrossRefPubMed Choi IGG, Duailibi-Neto EF, Beaini TL, et al. The frontal sinus cavity exhibits sexual dimorphism in 3D cone-beam CT images and can be used for sex determination. J Forensic Sci. 2018;63:692–8.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Beaini TL, Duailibi-Neto EF, Chilvarquer I, Melani RFH. Human identification through frontal sinus 3D superimposition: Pilot study with Cone Beam Computer Tomography. J Forensic Leg Med. 2015;36:63–9.CrossRefPubMed Beaini TL, Duailibi-Neto EF, Chilvarquer I, Melani RFH. Human identification through frontal sinus 3D superimposition: Pilot study with Cone Beam Computer Tomography. J Forensic Leg Med. 2015;36:63–9.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Michel J, Paganelli A, Varoquaux A, et al. Determination of Sex: Interest of Frontal Sinus 3 D Reconstructions. J Forensic Sci. 2015;60:269–73.CrossRefPubMed Michel J, Paganelli A, Varoquaux A, et al. Determination of Sex: Interest of Frontal Sinus 3 D Reconstructions. J Forensic Sci. 2015;60:269–73.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Goyal M, Acharya AB, Sattur AP, Naikmasur VG. Are frontal sinuses useful indicators of sex? J Forensic Leg Med. 2013;20:91–4.CrossRefPubMed Goyal M, Acharya AB, Sattur AP, Naikmasur VG. Are frontal sinuses useful indicators of sex? J Forensic Leg Med. 2013;20:91–4.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference 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.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral 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.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
23.
go back to reference Eboh DEO, Ogbeide OU, Ivwighren T. Radiographic anthropometric study of frontal sinus for sex determination in Benin city. South-South Nigeria J Forensic Dent Sci. 2017;9:31.PubMed Eboh DEO, Ogbeide OU, Ivwighren T. Radiographic anthropometric study of frontal sinus for sex determination in Benin city. South-South Nigeria J Forensic Dent Sci. 2017;9:31.PubMed
24.
go back to reference Muhammed FK, Abdullah AO, Rashid ZJ, et al. Morphology, incidence of bridging, and dimensions of sella turcica in different racial groups. Oral Radiol. 2019;35:127–34.CrossRefPubMed Muhammed FK, Abdullah AO, Rashid ZJ, et al. Morphology, incidence of bridging, and dimensions of sella turcica in different racial groups. Oral Radiol. 2019;35:127–34.CrossRefPubMed
25.
go back to reference Chang Z-C, Hu F-C, Lai E, et al. Landmark identification errors on cone-beam computed tomography-derived cephalograms and conventional digital cephalograms. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2011;140:e289–97.CrossRef Chang Z-C, Hu F-C, Lai E, et al. Landmark identification errors on cone-beam computed tomography-derived cephalograms and conventional digital cephalograms. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2011;140:e289–97.CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Damstra J, Slater JJRH, Fourie Z, Ren Y. Reliability and the smallest detectable differences of lateral cephalometric measurements. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2010;138:546-e1.CrossRef Damstra J, Slater JJRH, Fourie Z, Ren Y. Reliability and the smallest detectable differences of lateral cephalometric measurements. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2010;138:546-e1.CrossRef
27.
28.
go back to reference Gascho D, Philipp H, Flach PM, et al. Standardized medical image registration for radiological identification of decedents based on paranasal sinuses. J Forensic Leg Med. 2018;54:96–101.CrossRefPubMed Gascho D, Philipp H, Flach PM, et al. Standardized medical image registration for radiological identification of decedents based on paranasal sinuses. J Forensic Leg Med. 2018;54:96–101.CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Jablonski NG, Shum BSF. Identification of unknown human remains by comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs. Forensic Sci Int. 1989;42:221–30.CrossRefPubMed Jablonski NG, Shum BSF. Identification of unknown human remains by comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs. Forensic Sci Int. 1989;42:221–30.CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Aydınlıoğlu A, Kavaklıı A, Erdem S. Absence of frontal sinus in Turkish individuals. Yonsei Med J. 2003;44:215–8.CrossRefPubMed Aydınlıoğlu A, Kavaklıı A, Erdem S. Absence of frontal sinus in Turkish individuals. Yonsei Med J. 2003;44:215–8.CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Haglund WD. Remains identification by frontal sinus radiographs. J Forensic Sci. 1992;37:1207.PubMed Haglund WD. Remains identification by frontal sinus radiographs. J Forensic Sci. 1992;37:1207.PubMed
32.
go back to reference Prossinger H, Bookstein FL. Statistical estimators of frontal sinus cross section ontogeny from very noisy data. J Morphol. 2003;257:1–8.CrossRefPubMed Prossinger H, Bookstein FL. Statistical estimators of frontal sinus cross section ontogeny from very noisy data. J Morphol. 2003;257:1–8.CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Christensen AM. Assessing the variation in individual frontal sinus outlines. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2005;127:291–5.CrossRefPubMed Christensen AM. Assessing the variation in individual frontal sinus outlines. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2005;127:291–5.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
The dimensional and morphological assessment of the frontal sinus in sex estimation among different populations
Authors
Bowen Zheng
Yuan Zhong
Nassem Ali Al-Worafi
Yi Liu
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Head & Face Medicine / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1746-160X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-023-00355-4

Other articles of this Issue 1/2023

Head & Face Medicine 1/2023 Go to the issue