Revisiting global patterns of frontal sinus aplasia utilizing computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Medical Imaging
• Human Osteology

Background:

• Frontal sinus aplasia is a potential marker in forensic positive identifications.
• Frequency rates of aplasia are influenced by the definition of frontal sinus presence.
• Standardized methods are crucial for reliable forensic analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how two distinct methods of defining frontal sinus presence impact aplasia frequency rates.
• To compare the reliability of the XR-method versus the CT-method for assessing frontal sinus aplasia.
• To analyze demographic and geographic variations in frontal sinus aplasia rates.

Main Methods:

• Utilized CT scans from 772 adult individuals across diverse geographic regions.
• Assessed frontal sinus presence using two methods: XR-method (supra-orbital line) and CT-method (any sinus indication).
• Performed Fisher's Exact tests to determine statistical significance of aplasia rate differences.

Main Results:

• The XR-method yielded consistently higher aplasia frequencies, with an average discrepancy of 18.31% compared to the CT-method.
• Method discrepancies were more pronounced in females (24.6%) than males (13.82%).
• Oceanian individuals showed the highest aplasia rates and method discrepancies, while Europeans showed the lowest.

Conclusions:

• The CT-method provides biologically relevant aplasia rates more suitable for forensic identification than the XR-method.
• Significant differences in aplasia rates were observed between sexes and among different populations (e.g., Arctic, Oceanian).
• Consistent methodology and sample composition reporting are vital for accurate forensic application of frontal sinus aplasia data.