Association between frontal sinus morphology and craniofacial parameters: A forensic view

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphologic structure of the frontal sinuses with postero-anterior cephalometric radiographs in Turkish adolescents and to compare the findings between genders. The study sample consisted of 148 subjects divided into two groups (74 male subjects; mean age: 14.55 ± 1.42 years-74 female subjects; mean age: 14.95 ± 1.80 years). The right and left maximum height and width of the frontal sinus, maxillary width, nasal width, cranial width, antegonial width parameters were measured in 148 postero-anterior cephalometric radiographs. The data were analyzed using independent t and Mann Whitney U test. Spearman correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationships of the frontal sinus measurements and transversal cephalometric parameters. The mean values of the right and left frontal sinus width, maxillary width, antegonial width, and cranial width were larger in males than females (P < 0.05). The right frontal sinus height were positively correlated with antegonial width (r = 0.243; P < 0.05) and the right frontal sinus width were positively correlated with antegonial width (r = 0.327; P < 0.01) in males. The right frontal sinus width were positively correlated with nasal width (r = 0.244; P < 0.05) and the left frontal sinus width were positively correlated with nasal width (r = 0.231; P < 0.05) in females. Frontal sinuses were unique to each individual due to their morphological structures, and in forensic science, taking advantage of these features was very important for personal identification.

Keywords: Forensic dentistry; Frontal sinus; Postero-anterior cephalometric radiographs.