Maxillary Sinus, Frontal Sinus and Nasal Septum Patterns in Personal Identification in Forensics Using CBCT- A Retrospective Study

This study is aimed at assessing the reliability of morphometric measurements performed on the frontal sinus, nasal septum and maxillary sinus in personal identification using three dimensional Cone Beam Computed Tomography. This study propounds the significance of combined use of all three particularly maxillary sinus and nasal septum pattern in individual identification. This retrospective study includes 100 CBCT volumes with 200 sides of images (left and right) acquired using PLANMECA MID PROMAX 3D machine using Romexis software. CBCT images obtained from department of Oral medicine and radiology Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Chennai, India. Volume of maxillary sinus is measured using geometric equation. The frontal sinus is classified as symmetry, asymmetry, unilateral or bilateral aplasia. The nasal septum is classified based on the deviations in the septa as straight, deviation to right or left, sigmoid type and reverse sigmoid type. The overall value of maxillary sinus decreased with progressing age and greatest volume of maxillary sinus was observed with reverse sigmoid nasal septum pattern. Frontal sinus symmetry was observed in 50 % of the individuals and asymmetry in 50% of the individuals. Unilateral and bilateral aplasia was not observed in this study. Straight nasal septum was seen in 50% of the individuals, right deviation in 11% of individuals, and left deviation in 12% of the individuals. Sigmoid was seen in 4% and reverse sigmoid in 3% of the individuals. To conclude, the combined use of values obtained from frontal sinus, maxillary sinus and nasal septum patterns can be used in personal identification.