Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]

Background The identification of an individual after mass calamities poses challenges to experts when bones are fragmented. Dense bones, such as the maxilla, surpass this challenge and remain intact with sinuses even after incineration, thereby making the sinuses an ideal and reliable forensic scien...

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Main Authors: Rajalakshmi Rai, Anu Vinod Ranade, Soumya Vinod, Biswabina Ray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2025-01-01
Series:F1000Research
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Online Access:https://f1000research.com/articles/14-85/v1
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author Rajalakshmi Rai
Anu Vinod Ranade
Soumya Vinod
Biswabina Ray
author_facet Rajalakshmi Rai
Anu Vinod Ranade
Soumya Vinod
Biswabina Ray
author_sort Rajalakshmi Rai
collection DOAJ
description Background The identification of an individual after mass calamities poses challenges to experts when bones are fragmented. Dense bones, such as the maxilla, surpass this challenge and remain intact with sinuses even after incineration, thereby making the sinuses an ideal and reliable forensic science tool. No-ninvasive imaging techniques, such as Computed Tomography (CT), can be used to evaluate such cases and help detect fractures and further locate foreign bodies. This study aimed to estimate the dimensions and volumes of the frontal (FS), maxillary (MS), and sphenoidal air sinuses (SS) on CT scans and investigate age- and sex-related differences. Methods CT scans of the paranasal sinuses were acquired from 158 patients ranging in age from 19 to 73 years, and written consent was obtained from all participants. This study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee (ethical clearance number IEC 064/2010). All parameters were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20 version and the significance level was set at p<0.05. Results The bilateral anteroposterior length and height of the FS were significantly larger in men than females (p<0.05). The overall dimensions of the MS and SS were substantially greater in males than females (P <0.05). Likewise, the overall volumes of the fFS, MS, and SS were significantly greater in males than females (p<0.05). However, no significant age-related correlation was observed in the dimensions and volumes of the sinuses. Conclusion The results of this study showed that imaging could be a reliable instrument for personal identification in forensic anthropology. Countries that do not allow autopsies may implement this method to clarify the cause of death.
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spelling doaj-art-a1f438059d33423a9c8090b010a4c9de2025-08-20T03:09:08ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022025-01-011410.12688/f1000research.156445.1171759Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]Rajalakshmi Rai0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0776-2254Anu Vinod Ranade1Soumya Vinod2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7961-9396Biswabina Ray3Basic Sciences, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Mangaluru, Karnataka, IndiaBasic Medical Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesCollege of Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Anatomy, AIIMS, Kalyani, West Bengal, 741245, IndiaBackground The identification of an individual after mass calamities poses challenges to experts when bones are fragmented. Dense bones, such as the maxilla, surpass this challenge and remain intact with sinuses even after incineration, thereby making the sinuses an ideal and reliable forensic science tool. No-ninvasive imaging techniques, such as Computed Tomography (CT), can be used to evaluate such cases and help detect fractures and further locate foreign bodies. This study aimed to estimate the dimensions and volumes of the frontal (FS), maxillary (MS), and sphenoidal air sinuses (SS) on CT scans and investigate age- and sex-related differences. Methods CT scans of the paranasal sinuses were acquired from 158 patients ranging in age from 19 to 73 years, and written consent was obtained from all participants. This study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee (ethical clearance number IEC 064/2010). All parameters were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20 version and the significance level was set at p<0.05. Results The bilateral anteroposterior length and height of the FS were significantly larger in men than females (p<0.05). The overall dimensions of the MS and SS were substantially greater in males than females (P <0.05). Likewise, the overall volumes of the fFS, MS, and SS were significantly greater in males than females (p<0.05). However, no significant age-related correlation was observed in the dimensions and volumes of the sinuses. Conclusion The results of this study showed that imaging could be a reliable instrument for personal identification in forensic anthropology. Countries that do not allow autopsies may implement this method to clarify the cause of death.https://f1000research.com/articles/14-85/v1air sinuses forensic anthropology morphometry computed tomography imaging.eng
spellingShingle Rajalakshmi Rai
Anu Vinod Ranade
Soumya Vinod
Biswabina Ray
Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
F1000Research
air sinuses
forensic anthropology
morphometry
computed tomography
imaging.
eng
title Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_full Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_fullStr Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_full_unstemmed Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_short Beyond the Surface: A Multidetector Computer Tomography Scan Investigation into Age and Gender Differences. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved, 1 not approved]
title_sort beyond the surface a multidetector computer tomography scan investigation into age and gender differences version 1 peer review 2 approved 1 not approved
topic air sinuses
forensic anthropology
morphometry
computed tomography
imaging.
eng
url https://f1000research.com/articles/14-85/v1
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