Frontal sinus imaging is an important research object in forensic individual identification due to the highly specific irregular air cavity shape of frontal sinus, the stability of its shape after maturity, and the wide clinical application of radiology technology. The use of frontal sinus imaging for individual identification has significance in the court. When the application of traditional individual identification methods such as fingerprint identification and DNA analysis are limited or cannot be effectively carried out, or when the corresponding dental records are lacking and in other special cases, individual identification with frontal sinus imaging comparison is an effective alternative. Various types of image data can be used for individual identification with frontal sinus, mainly based on artificial visual comparing. With limitations such as, high professional requirements, low efficiency and small application range, the methods cannot be used in mass disasters. In recent years, some computer image recognition techniques have been used in identification of frontal sinus imagings and can significantly improve the efficiency of recognition. Difficulties such as low manual recognition efficiency may be overcomed. This study summarizes the reports on forensic individual identification using frontal sinus imaging, to review the research progress on individual identification with frontal sinus imaging, to provide a reference for further research on frontal sinus imaging, and to provide ideas for exploration and establishment of a faster, more efficient and more accurate individual identification system.
Diagnostic Imaging ; Forensic Anthropology ; Forensic Medicine ; Frontal Sinus/diagnostic imaging* ; Torso

OBJECTIVE: To make 3-D reconstruction of frontal recess by high speed spiral CT, which can be helpful to nasal endoscopic frontal sinus operation. METHOD: Fifty-one cases (102 laterals) of frontal recess 3-D reconstruction by 16 line high speed spiral CT were enrolled in the research, which included 58 laterals with chronic frontal sinusitis and 44 laterals of normal nasal sinus. The structure of frontal recess, the agger nasi and the adhere style of uncinate process were recognized. The parameter of frontal recess was measured. Finally the data of two groups were compared and analyzed. RESULT: CT 3-D reconstruction of frontal recess could display the frontal sinus, frontal endosome and frontal recess. The shape of frontal recess varied greatly in different cases, which depended on the near structure especially agger nasi and uncinate process. The difference of average Y axes inner diameter between agger nasi and frontal endosome was significant. The difference of average Y axes inner diameter between frontal endosome and anterior nasal spine, between the line of frontal endosome to anterior nasal spine and the line of Aeby's plane and between bhullar cell and anterior nasal spine were not significant in two groups. CONCLUSION The drainage flow of frontal recess depends on the near structures especially on the agger nasi and uncinate process. The prevalence of agger nasi is high, and the position of it is constancy, as far agger nasi can be an anatomic landmark of frontal sinus operation. The position of frontal endosome is constancy. The scalloped area from anterior nasal spine 50-60 degrees to the line of Aeby's plane and within 100 mm radius is safety section to nasal endoscopic frontal sinus operation. CT 3-D reconstruction of this area is helpful to avoid insult.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Frontal Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; Frontal Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paranasal Sinuses ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the CT three-dimensional imaging features of the frontal recess region with advanced three-dimensional reconstruction, and develop the real image of the important anatomical structures around the region to conduct surgery. METHOD: Thirty patients were undergone spiral CT by 16 line high speed spiral CT, and multiplanar reconstruction images using standard three-dimensional reconstruction protocol on a computer workstation. The structure of the frontal recess, the agger nasi cell and adhere style of the uncinate process were observed. The parameter of the important anatomic structure of frontal recess was measured precisely. RESULT: After the reconstruction, we get the three-dimensional model very close to the true state of the nasal cavity-sinuses cell, in which parts of the frontal recess can clearly identify the agger nasi cell, frontal cell and other important structures. In these patients, the height, width and depth of the agger nasi and frontal sinus were (9.45 ± 3.60)mm, (8.08 ± 3.37)mm, (26.98 ± 6.82)mm and (26.86 ± 9.45)mm, respectively. CONCLUSION This study tried to develop the standardized techniques and measurements from three-dimensional reconstructed images of the frontal sinus and to ascertain the usefulness of the frontal sinus in identification of patients. The project results in better preoperative patient counselling and in predicting postoperative improvement in clinical status.
Ethmoid Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; Frontal Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Nasal Cavity ; Paranasal Sinuses ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo understand the anatomy of the supraorbital ethmoid cell and its relationship with the frontal sinus drainage pathway.

METHODSFive patients (5 sides) who had supraorbital ethmoid cell underwent endoscopic frontal sinus surgery. Computed tomographic (CT) scans of the sinuses were obtained in coronal and axial views. The frontal sinus ostium and the supraorbital ethmoid cell were endoscopically identified respectively.

RESULTSOn coronal CT scans, the supraorbital ethmoid cell was a separate cell lateral to the frontal sinus. And on axial CT scans, it was lateral and posterior to the frontal sinus drainage pathway. Under endoscope, its opening was lateral and posterior to the frontal sinus ostium.

CONCLUSIONSThe supraorbital ethmoid cell extended superolateral the boundaries of the lamina papyracea and the roof of the ethmoid to pneumatize the orbital plate of the frontal bone.

Adult ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Frontal Sinus ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Orbit ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anatomical interaction between uncinate process and agger nasi cell to better understand the anatomy of the frontal sinus drainage pathway by endoscopy, spiral computed tomography (CT) and sectioning.

METHODSTwenty-one skeletal skulls (forty-two sides) and one cadaver head (two sides) were studied by spiral CT together with endoscopy and collodion embedded thin sectioning at coronal plane. The sections with the thickness of 100 microm were stained with hemotoxylin and eosin.

RESULTSUnder endoscopy, a leaflet of bone to the middle turbinate, which is given off by uncinate process, forms the anterior insertion of the middle turbinate onto the lateral nasal wall. The middle portion of the uncinate process attached to the frontal process of the maxilla in all of the skeletal nasal cavities, as well as the lacrimal bone in 78.6% of the skeletal nasal cavities. On CT scans, the agger nasi cell is present in 90.5% of the skeletal nasal cavities. While the lateral wall of the agger nasi cell is formed by lacrimal bone, the medial wall of the agger nasi cell is formed by uncinate process. And the anterior wall is formed by the frontal process of the maxilla. The superior portion of the uncinate process forms the medial, posterior and top wall of the agger nasi cells. The superior portion of the uncinate extends into the frontal recess and may insert into lamina papyracea (33.3%), skull base (9.5%), middle turbinate, combination of these (57.2%).

CONCLUSIONSThe agger nasi cell is the key that unlocks the frontal recess.

Adult ; Frontal Sinus ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Nasal Cavity ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Turbinates ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility of endoscopic frontal sinus surgery in the nasal septum median path. METHOD: (1) Sixty adult cadaveric heads fixed with formalin were CT scanned,and were three dimensional reconstruction. (2) Thirty adult cadaveric heads were sawn along the sagittal line close to the side of the nasal septum, then the important anatomic marks were observed and measured. (3) Combined with CT and anatomical data, thirty adult cadaveric heads were operated in different degree, and the damage of nasal septum and fila olfactoria were detected in the same time. RESULT: (1) The roots of middle nasal concha were simulated in the endoscopic frontal sinus surgery. The operation time, operative procedures, markers foundation, endoscopic back of posterior border of frontal sinus foundation and attached to the symphysis with cribriform plate and the top of ethmoidal sinus were recorded. (2) The intersection point formed by the level of middle nasal concha and the vertical of middle nasal concha corresponded with the nasal septum was called the M point. The distance from the M point to the horizon of the nasal bone was (20.07 +/- 6.21) mm, the distance from the M point to the first fila olfactoria was (24.38 +/- 7.68) mm, the distance from the first fila olfactoria to the posterior edge of frontal sinus was (9.57 +/- 2.73) mm, the distance from the root of the middle nasal concha to posterior edge of frontal sinus was (5.38 +/- 1.23) mm, the anteroposterior diameter of frontal sinus fundus was (7.62 +/- 2.45) mm, the transverse diameter of frontal sinus fundus was (9.41 +/- 3.37) mm, the seesaw diameter of frontal sinus partition was (16.97 +/- 3.23) mm, the anteroposterior diameter of frontal sinus partition was (12.34 +/- 2.23) mm. (3) The operation time through the nasal septum path was 105 minutes which combined with CT and anatomical measurements. 0 degrees endoscopy could be used to observe the frontal part of the lateral, posterior and top wall, while nasal septum remove should be finished with 30 degree endoscopy. The bottom of frontal sinus can be exposed and removed with 0 degree endoscopy. 3 cases of cadaveric frontal sinus lateral wall can not be observed with 70 degree endoscopy. 30 cases of cadaveric frontal sinus,some of the top and the lateral wall, anterior and posterior wall could be observed with 70 degree endoscopy, nasal septum damage range was about 2.23 cm x 2.59 cm, and no fila olfactoria damage was found. CONCLUSION Endoscopic frontal sinus surgery in the nasal septum median path is a good way to find frontal sinus.
Endoscopy ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Frontal Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Nasal Septum ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to observe the CT imaging features of the frontal recess regional. METHOD: Eighty-two patients were undergone spiral computed tomography (CT). Then multiplanar reconstruction images were made using standard triplanar reconstruction protocol on a computer workstation. RESULT: The prevalence of agger nasi cell was 87.8% (144/164). One hundred and forty-five (89%, 145/164) uncinate processes had one superior attachment for each uncinate process. The others had two superior attachments for each uncinate process. The uncinate process' single superior attachment of into the surrounding structures was identified to have the following distribution: 90/164 (54.9%): to the lamina papyracea, 50/164 (30.5%) to the middle turbinate, and 5/164 (3.0%) to the skull base. Of all the frontal cells were identified in 144 (87.8%) sides of frontal recesses, the prevalence of type I II, type III IV, were 30.5% and 9.8% respectively. CONCLUSION T Agger nasi cell and uncinate process play an important role in endoscopic frontal sinus surgery.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; diagnostic imaging ; Frontal Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Cavity ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Turbinates ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to observe the three-dimensional (3D) CT imaging features of the frontal recess region with 3D reconstruction, and obtain the real image of the important anatomical structures of the region to conduct surgery. METHOD: Five patients were undergone spiral CT by 16 line high speed spiral CT, and multiplanar reconstruction images using standard 3D reconstruction protocol on a computer workstation. The structure of the frontal recess, the agger nasi cell and adhere style of the uncinate process were observed. The parameter of the important anatomic structure of frontal recess was measured precisely. RESULT: After the reconstruction, we get the 3D model very close to the true state of the nasal cavity--sinuses cell, in which parts of the frontal recess can clearly identify the agger nasi cell, frontal cell and other important structures. In this patient, the height, width and depth of the agger nasi and frontal sinus were 12.3 mm, 12.1 mm, 38.5 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION This study tried to develop the standardized techniques and measurements from 3D reconstructed images of the frontal sinus and to ascertain the usefulness of the frontal sinus in identification of patients. The results in better preoperative patient counselling and in predicting postoperative improvement in clinical status.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Frontal Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of frontal recess cells in Chinese patients who did not have frontal sinus disease related symptoms.

METHODSForty-nine Chinese patients without frontal sinus disease symptoms were undergone spiral computed tomography (CT). Then multiplanar reconstruction images were evaluated using a standard triplanar reconstruction protocol on a computer workstation.

RESULTSThe prevalence of agge rnasi cell was 94% (92/98). Sixty-four uncinate processes (65%, 64/98) had one superior attachment for each uncinate process, the other thirty-four uncinate processes (35%, 34/98) had two superior attachments for each uncinate process. The uncinate process' single superior attachment into the surrounding structures was identified to have the following distribution: 53% (52/98) to the lamina papyracea, 9% (9/98) to the middle turbinate, 3% (3/98) to the skull base. Most of the uncinate process' two superior attachments were either into the lamina papyracea and the skull base (24%, 23/98) or into the lamina papyracea and the middle turbinate (10%, 10/98). Only one uncinate process (1%) superiorly attached to the skull base and the middle turbinate. The prevalence of recessus terminalis was 87% (85/98). Of all the frontal cells identified in 32 sides (33%) of frontal recesses, the prevalence of type I, type II, type II and type IV cells were 23% (23 sides), 2% (2 sides), 7% (7 sides) and 0% (0 side) respectively. Supra bullar cell, frontal bullar cell and interfrontal septal cell were identified in 30 sides (31%), 7 sides (7%) and 7 patients (14%) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe result characterized normal frontal recess pneumatization in Chinese. That, together with the variations of the uncinate process' superior attachment emphasized the roles of agger nasi cell and the uncinate process in endoscopic frontal sinus surgery.

Adult ; Anatomy, Regional ; Female ; Frontal Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the CT imaging features of anatomic structure related to endoscopic axilla approach for surgery of the frontal recess and frontal sinus. METHOD: Thirty patients without a history of frontal sinus disease were undergone 16 line high speed spiral computed tomography. The computed tomographic images were analyzed to measure the related structures. RESULT: The vertical distance from the front attachment point of the middle turbinate to the skull base was 13.88 +/- 2.59 mm. The horizontal distance from the top point of the axilla of the middle turbinate to the anterior wall of the frontal sinus outflow tract was 5.77 +/- 12.32 mm, to the anterior wall of the nasal cavity was 13.67 +/- 12.54 mm, to the lamina papyracea or lacrimal sac was 5.89 +/- 1.69 mm. CONCLUSION Sixteen line high speed spiral computed tomography is helpful to endoscopic axilla approach for surgery of the frontal recess and frontal sinus.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Frontal Sinus ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Turbinates ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult