Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sinus frontalis'

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Diversos métodos biométricos baseados em características físicas do corpo humano como impressão digital, face, íris e retina têm sido propostos para identificação humana. No entanto, para a identificação post-mortem, tais características biométricas podem não estar disponíveis. Nestes casos, partes do esqueleto do corpo humano podem ser utilizadas para identificação, tais como dentes, tórax, vértebras, ombros e os sinus frontais. Investigações anteriores mostraram, por meio de técnicas manuais para extração de características, que os padrões dos sinus frontais são altamente variáveis entre indivíduos distintos e únicos para cada indivíduo. Esta dissertação de mestrado tem por objetivo propor um método computacional para o reconhecimento de sinus frontais para identificação humana post-mortem em aplicações forenses. Para tanto, foram avaliados métodos de segmentação de imagens de radiografias anteroposteriores de sinus frontais. O método baseado na Transformada Imagem-Floresta demonstrou ser eficiente para segmentação dos sinus frontais das imagens de radiografias, exigindo mínima intervenção humana. Foram também investigadas e implementadas técnicas para extração de descritores geométricos e descritores baseados nas formas dos sinus frontais. Experimentos realizados em um banco de imagens contendo 90 radiografias anteroposteriores de 29 indivíduos mostraram que a técnica de extração de características baseada nos descritores de contexto da forma foi a mais eficaz, propiciando taxas de erro igual (EER) e de recuperações corretas (CRR) de 3,73% e 95,5%, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos nos experimentos corroboram os encontrados na literatura sobre a individualidade dos sinus frontais e sua viabilidade em termos de precisão e usabilidade para a identificação humana post-mortem. Palavras-chave: Biometria, identificação...
Several methods based on Biometrics such as fingerprint, face, iris, and retina have been proposed for person identification. However, for postmortem identification such biometric measurements may not be available. In such cases, parts of the human skeleton can be used for identification, such as teeth, thorax, vertebrae, shoulders, and frontal sinus. Previous investigations showed, by means of manual features extraction techniques, that frontal sinus patterns are highly variable for distinctive individuals and unique for each one. The objective of this master thesis is to propose a computational method for frontal sinus recognition for postmortem human identification in forensic applications. In order to achieve this, methods for frontal sinus segmentation from anteroposterior radiographs were evaluated. The method based on Image-Foresting Transform has shown itself efficient in frontal sinus segmentation from radiograph images, demanding minimal human intervention. After the segmentation, techniques for extracting frontal sinus geometrical and shape-based descriptors were investigated and implemented. Experiments over a database containing 90 anteroposterior radiograph images from 29 individuals have shown that the features extraction techniques based on shape context descriptors were the most efficient, providing equal error (EER) and correct retrievals (CRR) rates of 3.73% and 95,5%, respectively. The results obtained in our experiments confirm the outcomes described in literature about the individuality of the frontal sinus and its feasibility in terms of precision and usability for postmortem human identification. Keywords: Biometrics, forensics human... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Marisa Aparecida Cabrini Gabrielli
Resumo: Complicações precoces e tardias de fraturas do seio frontal não são infrequentes, independentemente da técnica utilizada para tratamento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o resultado do tratamento de fraturas da região frontal. Ao todo, 155 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo e avaliados por meio clinicamente e por meio de imagens de tomografia computadorizada. A média de idade foi de 32,86 anos e 88,30% eram do sexo masculino. As três principais etiologias do trauma foram acidente motorciclístico (23,87%), agressão física (20%) e acidente automobilístico (18,70%). O tempo de pós-operatório avaliado variou entre 6 meses a 27 anos (média: 7 anos e meio). Foram tratados por meio de reconstrução do seio frontal, 61,29%; obliteração, 6,45%; cranialização, 21,93% e tratamento não cirúrgico, 10,32%. Vinte e quatro por cento dos pacientes desenvolveram complicações pós-operatórias, tais como sinusite frontal, infecção do tecido mole, osteomielite, dor, mucocele, pneumoencéfalo e irregularidade óssea. As complicações diretamente relacionadas ao tipo de tratamento instituído foi a seguinte: reconstrução do seio frontal 6,3%; obliteração do seio frontal, 75%; cranialização: 2,94% e o tratamento não cirúrgico: 6,25%. Por meio dessa avaliação pode-se concluir que: (1) todas as técnicas de tratamento para fratura do seio frontal desenvolveram complicações pós-operatórias; (2) a obliteração do seio frontal apresentou prevalência para o desenvolvimento de complicações, devendo ser ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Doutor

Objectif - Réaliser une étude en morphométrie géométrique pour définir la variabilité des sinus frontaux et maxillaires au sein d’une population adulte et pour l’établissement du profil biologique des individus à partir de la géométrie des sinus frontaux et maxillaires.- Valider un modèle de simulation numérique des écoulements pour l’étude de la ventilation nasosinusienne chez l’adulte et observer l’influence de la conformation sinusienne sur la ventilation nasosinusienne.Nous avons défini 20 landmarks fiables et reproductibles pour les sinus frontaux et maxillaires. Nous avons décrit la variabilité des sinus frontaux et maxillaires au sein d’un échantillon de population adulte. Enfin, nous avons mis en évidence l’existence d’allométries pour les sinus frontaux et maxillaires mais aussi l’existence d’un dimorphisme sexuel pour la conformation des sinus maxillairesNous proposons un modèle fiable de simulation numérique des écoulements à partir d’examen tomodensitométriques. Sur la base de ce modèle, nous n’avons pas mis en évidence d’influence de la conformation sinusienne sur la ventilation nasale et le conditionnement thermique de l’air inspiré et expiré
Objectives - to conduct a morphometric geometric study in order to define the variability of the frontal and maxillary sinuses in an adult population and to determinate the sex of individuals - to validate a Computational fluid dynamic model of the nasal airflow and to describe the influence of the sinus conformation on the nasal airflow.We defined twenty reliable and reproducible landmarks for frontal and maxillary sinuses. We described the variability of the frontal and maxillary sinuses in an adult population sample. Finally, we highlighted the existence of allometries for frontal and maxillary sinuses but also the existence of a sexual dimorphism in the conformation of the maxillary sinusesComputational fluid dynamics:We offer a reliable model for numerical simulation of flows from CT examination. Based on this model, we have not shown any influence of the conformation on the nasal sinus ventilation and thermal conditioning of the inhaled and exhaled air. We showed no ventilation in the sinuses in the nasal respiratory cycle. Future studies will endeavor to define a humidity conditioning air model and a simulation model of production of NO and gas exchange between sinuses and nasal cavities

Orientador: Aparecido Nilceu Marana
Banca: Adilson Gonzaga
Banca: Humberto Ferasoli Filho
Resumo: Diversos métodos biométricos baseados em características físicas do corpo humano como impressão digital, face, íris e retina têm sido propostos para identificação humana. No entanto, para a identificação post-mortem, tais características biométricas podem não estar disponíveis. Nestes casos, partes do esqueleto do corpo humano podem ser utilizadas para identificação, tais como dentes, tórax, vértebras, ombros e os sinus frontais. Investigações anteriores mostraram, por meio de técnicas manuais para extração de características, que os padrões dos sinus frontais são altamente variáveis entre indivíduos distintos e únicos para cada indivíduo. Esta dissertação de mestrado tem por objetivo propor um método computacional para o reconhecimento de sinus frontais para identificação humana post-mortem em aplicações forenses. Para tanto, foram avaliados métodos de segmentação de imagens de radiografias anteroposteriores de sinus frontais. O método baseado na Transformada Imagem-Floresta demonstrou ser eficiente para segmentação dos sinus frontais das imagens de radiografias, exigindo mínima intervenção humana. Foram também investigadas e implementadas técnicas para extração de descritores geométricos e descritores baseados nas formas dos sinus frontais. Experimentos realizados em um banco de imagens contendo 90 radiografias anteroposteriores de 29 indivíduos mostraram que a técnica de extração de características baseada nos descritores de contexto da forma foi a mais eficaz, propiciando taxas de erro igual (EER) e de recuperações corretas (CRR) de 3,73% e 95,5%, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos nos experimentos corroboram os encontrados na literatura sobre a individualidade dos sinus frontais e sua viabilidade em termos de precisão e usabilidade para a identificação humana post-mortem. Palavras-chave: Biometria, identificação... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Several methods based on Biometrics such as fingerprint, face, iris, and retina have been proposed for person identification. However, for postmortem identification such biometric measurements may not be available. In such cases, parts of the human skeleton can be used for identification, such as teeth, thorax, vertebrae, shoulders, and frontal sinus. Previous investigations showed, by means of manual features extraction techniques, that frontal sinus patterns are highly variable for distinctive individuals and unique for each one. The objective of this master thesis is to propose a computational method for frontal sinus recognition for postmortem human identification in forensic applications. In order to achieve this, methods for frontal sinus segmentation from anteroposterior radiographs were evaluated. The method based on Image-Foresting Transform has shown itself efficient in frontal sinus segmentation from radiograph images, demanding minimal human intervention. After the segmentation, techniques for extracting frontal sinus geometrical and shape-based descriptors were investigated and implemented. Experiments over a database containing 90 anteroposterior radiograph images from 29 individuals have shown that the features extraction techniques based on shape context descriptors were the most efficient, providing equal error (EER) and correct retrievals (CRR) rates of 3.73% and 95,5%, respectively. The results obtained in our experiments confirm the outcomes described in literature about the individuality of the frontal sinus and its feasibility in terms of precision and usability for postmortem human identification. Keywords: Biometrics, forensics human... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The aim of this study was to verify the applicability of parameters for human identification using the frontal sinuses, used by Tatlisumak et al. (2007), using axial and coronal reconstructions of CBCT and extraoral radiographs. From 58 dry disjointed skulls existing in the Management of Legal Medicine of Paraiba (PB-GEMOL) and University Center of Joao Pessoa, UNIPÊ, 26 skulls were selected. The acquisition of anteroposterior radiographs of the skull and lateral view were obtained through X-ray machine pan Rotograph Plus ® (Dabi Atlante Ltda., Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil) and the CT at New iCAT device Generation ® (Imaging Sciences International, Pennsylvania, USA), adopting a specific methodology in order to standardize the tests to obtain and ensure the reproducibility of the study. The images were evaluated by two examiners calibrated in darkened environment and in two different times, with a minimum interval of one week. Assessments of axial and coronal reconstructions were performed with the aid of a 23 "program and iCat Vision (Imaging Sciences International, Pennsylvania, USA). For evaluation of extraoral radiographs were traced on paper made using ultrafan of 600 lux light box with mask and measurements with the aid of a high precision digital caliper Mitutoyo series 167 (Mitutoyo, Suzano, Brazil). Categorical variables were discrete and analyzed using the kappa test and continuous variables by Correlation Coefficient of Concordance Lin. Methods of analysis by cone beam CT and radiographic were mostly consistent, with only a few variables with unsatisfactory results (capd, and dpele dpontalt). For categorical variables and discrete intra-and inter-was great-perfect for both methods, as continuous variables showed moderate to excellent results. It is concluded that: the methodology proposed in this paper, using the parameters of the job Tatlisumak et al. (2007), are applicable and reliable in extraoral radiographs (X-rays AP and lateral radiographs of the skull face) and axial and coronal reconstructions of CBCT for human identification by frontal sinus, intra-and inter the parameters used by Tatlisumak et al. (2007) with CBCT imaging modality varies from substantial to excellent, and moderate to excellent radiographic images, there is a greater power of reproducibility and accuracy of the proposed method using the axial and coronal reconstructions of CBCT taking extraoral radiographs also reliability , the least consistent variable in the analysis by the images of CBCT is a measure capd (poor agreement), while the radiographic images and are dpele dpontalt (bad matches). This result indicates that these parameters are more susceptible to errors by evaluators, since it needs to use multiple points of reference for their measurements.
O objetivo neste estudo foi verificar a aplicabilidade de parâmetros de identificação humana por meio dos seios frontais, utilizados por Tatlisumak et al. (2007), com auxílio das reconstruções axiais e coronais de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) e radiografias extrabucais. De um universo de 58 crânios secos desarticulados existentes na Gerência Executiva de Medicina e Odontologia Legal da Paraíba (GEMOL-PB) e Centro Universitário de João Pessoa, Unipê, foram selecionados 26 crânios. As aquisições das imagens radiográficas póstero-anterior de crânio e lateral de face, foram obtidas por meio do aparelho de raios X panorâmico Rotograph Plus® (Dabi Atlante Ltda., Riberão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil) e as tomográficas, pelo aparelho iCAT New Generation® (Imaging Sciences International, Pennsylvania, EUA), adotando-se uma metodologia específica como forma de padronizar a obtenção dos exames e garantir a reprodutibilidade do estudo. As imagens foram avaliadas por dois examinadores previamente calibrados, em ambiente escurecido e em dois tempos distintos, com um intervalo mínimo de uma semana. As avaliações das reconstruções axiais e coronais foram realizadas com o auxílio de um monitor de 23 e programa iCat Vision (Imaging Sciences International, Pennsylvania, EUA). Para avaliação das imagens radiográficas extrabucais, foram realizados traçados em papel ultrafan utilizando negatoscópio de 600 lux com máscara e as mensurações com auxílio de um paquímetro digital de alta precisão Mitutoyo série 167 (Mitutoyo Sul Americana, Suzano, Brasil). As variáveis categóricas e discretas foram analisadas por meio do teste kappa e as variáveis contínuas pelo Coeficiente de Correlação de Concordância de Lin. Os métodos de análise pelas tomografias de feixe cônico e radiográficas foram em sua maioria concordantes, apresentando apenas algumas variáveis com resultados insatisfatórios (capd, dpele e dpontalt). Para as variáveis categóricas e discretas houve concordância intra e interexaminadores de ótima a perfeita em ambos os métodos, já as variáveis contínuas apresentaram resultados de moderada a excelente. Conclui-se que: a metodologia proposta no presente trabalho, utilizando os parâmetros do trabalho de Tatlisumak et al. (2007), são aplicáveis e confiáveis em radiografias extrabucais (radiografias PA de crânio e radiografias laterais de face) e reconstruções axiais e coronais de TCFC para a identificação humana pelos seios frontais; a concordância intra e interexaminador nos parâmetros utilizados por Tatlisumak et al. (2007) com a modalidade de imagem TCFC varia de boa a excelente; e de moderada a excelente nas imagens radiográficas; há um maior poder de reprodutibilidade e precisão do método proposto utilizando as reconstruções axiais e coronais de TCFC, tendo as radiografias extrabucais também confiabilidade; a variável menos concordante na análise pelas imagens de TCFC é a medida capd (concordância ruim); já pelas imagens radiográficas são dpele e dpontalt (concordâncias ruins). Tal resultado indica que estes parâmetros são mais passíveis de erros por parte dos avaliadores, uma vez que deve-se utilizar vários pontos de referência para suas mensurações.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
Forensic anthropologists compare antemortem and postmortem frontal sinus radiographs to assist in the positive identification of unknown remains. Increasingly forensic anthropologists are provided with an antemortem computed tomography (CT) scan to compare with a postmortem radiograph in order to verify an individual's identity. Currently there are no protocols for comparing the three-dimensional volume of a CT scan with a two-dimensional image of a radiograph. This study investigates frontal sinus morphology as observed in CT scans and compares them to traditional 2D radiograph images of human skulls and evaluatesthe frontal sinus in a three dimensional manner. The goal of this study is to provide a valid method for comparing postmortem radiographs to antemortem CT scans to create a standardized method of positive identification for an unknown set of remains. Sixty-seven previously procured CT scans and traditional 2D radiographs were utilized in this study. Five of the sixty-seven individuals were excluded from the study due to poor image quality or lack of frontal sinus. Of the sixty-seven individuals, 4.5% lacked frontal sinuses. Volumetric analysis revealed that significant differences exist between males and females, with males exhibiting larger frontal sinuses; however differences between ancestries were not statistically significant. Analysis ofvolume did not yield significant differences between sexes or among ancestries. A reliable method for comparing 3D renderings of the frontal sinus and radiographs could not be generated at this time because only 32 out of the useable 62 patient comparisons were found to be similar enough to be deemed adequate matches.

In this study, I examined how two psychophysiological metrics that have both independently been implicated in depression co-vary with one another within individuals over time: frontal EEG asymmetry and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). I hypothesized that, within subjects, short epochs of higher RSA, normally indicating low depressive status, would correlate with higher scores on frontal EEG asymmetry, reflecting greater relative left frontal activity like that seen among those with low depressive status. No statistically significant relationship between the two metrics was observed. Future work might investigate whether changes in one system would lead to changes in the other, as only simultaneous changes were examined in the present study.

A unicidade da cavidade sinusal frontal é um importante fator para a identidade humana. O uso de registros de imagens dessa cavidade para a identificação forense é amplamente difundido, sendo uma metodologia secundária segundo a INTERPOL. Recentes avanços nas tecnologias de imagem permitiram o registro de imagens tridimensionais dessa cavidade. Nosso objetivo foi validar a metodologia proposta por Beaini et al. (2015), padronizando critérios para a obtenção de imagens tridimensionais da cavidade sinusal frontal com tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico e avaliando a capacidade desses dados para a identificação humana. Para tanto, utilizamos um banco de imagens tomográficas de 200 pacientes randomizados e analisados por três observadores. As imagens foram exportadas em formato DICOM e submetidas a dois processos de segmentação distintos e sobreposição tridimensional. Realizou-se a metodologia descrita para estabelecer a identificação entre pacientes randomizados. Os resultados mostraram que há uma diferença significativa entre os processos de segmentação, sendo mais indicada a técnica de segmentação manual. A metodologia proposta por Beaini et al. (2015) foi validada e um total de 166 pacientes foram identificados. O volume da cavidade sinusal possui um elevado potencial de identificação com uma probabilidade aproximada de 85% para determinar o gênero dos indivíduos.
The uniqueness of the frontal sinus cavity is an important factor for establishing human identity. The usage of imaging records of this cavity for human identity is a secondary methodology according to the INTERPOL protocols. Recent advances in imaging technologies have enabled the three-dimensional imaging records of this cavity. Our goal was to validate the methodology proposed by Beaini et al. (2015), by developing standardized criteria for the use of cone beam computed tomography three-dimensional images of the front sinus and evaluating the ability of these data for human identification. The aim of this study was to investigate a total of 200 imaging records from randomized patients that were analyzed by three observers. Images were exported in DICOM format and underwent two distinct segmentation processes and a three-dimensional overlap. The Beaini et al. (2015) technique was applied to establish identification of the randomized patients. My results showed a significant difference between both segmentation processes, with manual segmentation showing the best results. Beaini et al. (2015) technique was validated and a total of 166 patients were identified. The volume of the sinus cavity has a high identification probability with a rough probability of 85% to determine the sex of individuals.

Foram poucos os estudos realizados para avaliar a capacidade da cavidade dos seios frontais para a diferenciação sexual. No entanto, a predição do sexo dos indivíduos é o passo mais importante para o desenvolvimento de um perfil biológico confiável durante a análise de restos esqueléticos. O advento da tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico trouxe uma série de vantagens à clínica odontológica, e a quantidade de pacientes que realizam exames tomográficos para fins de diagnóstico tem aumentado cada vez mais permitindo com que estes dados sejam úteis para propósitos de identificação forense. Neste estudo, o objetivo foi propor uma nova metodologia para avaliar a capacidade de imagens em 3D da cavidade sinusal frontal, provenientes de tomografia computadorizada por feixe cônico, em determinar dimorfismo sexual entre os indivíduos. A amostra da pesquisa foi composta por 130 exames (65 do sexo masculino e 65 do sexo feminino) que foram segmentados e reconstruídos tridimensionalmente. O volume 3D foi exportado em formato Tiff nas normas frontal, lateral e basal. E as seguintes variáveis foram mensuradas em um segundo programa: área, perímetro, retângulo delimitador, elipse delimitadora, circularidade, razão de aspecto, arredondamento do objeto, solidez e diâmetro de Feret. O estudo foi capaz de demonstrar a existência de dimorfismo sexual com uma acurácia do modelo final de regressão logística igual a 80,0%. A norma basal foi a que garantiu maior poder de explicação na equação final. A metodologia foi validada e os resultados mostraram alto grau de confiabilidade.
There were few studies to assess the ability of the cavity of the frontal sinuses for sexual differentiation. However, the prediction of the sex of the individuals is the most important step in the development of a reliable biological profile during analysis of skeletal remains. The advent of cone beam computed tomography brought a number of advantages to the dental clinic, and the number of patients undergoing CT scans for diagnostic purposes has increased increasingly allowing that these data are useful for forensic identification purposes. The study aimed to propose a new methodology to assess the 3D images capacity of the frontal sinus cavity, from computed tomography cone beam, to attribute sexual dimorphism between individuals. The survey sample consisted of 130 exams (65 male and 65 female) who were reconstructed three-dimensionally. The 3D volume was exported in Tiff format in the frontal, side and basal views. In addition, the following variables were measured in a second program: area, perimeter, bounding rectangle, ellipse fit, circularity, aspect ratio, roundness, solidity and Feret\'s diameter. The study was able to demonstrate the existence of sexual dimorphism with an accuracy of the final logistic regression model equal to 80.0%. The basal view assured greater explanatory power in the final equation. The methodology has been validated and the results showed a high degree of reliability.

Trabalho Final do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina apresentado à Faculdade de Medicina
As neoformações do seio frontal são tratadas desde tempos pré-históricos. Foram descritas cirurgias precoces com remoção de parte da parede anterior do seio frontal, com deformidades estéticas significativas. Cirurgias mais diferenciadas foram desenvolvidas a partir do século XIX, até ao aparecimento, nos anos 80, da endoscopia nasossinusal. Atualmente, a técnica mais utilizada para aceder aos seios perinasais é a endoscopia funcional, cujo principal objetivo é restabelecer a sua drenagem e adequada ventilação por via endoscópica. As abordagens externas do seio frontal têm indicações precisas, quer pelo controlo visual direto, quer pela inacessibilidade do acesso endoscópico a determinadas zonas deste. As principais indicações para este tipo de abordagem são: extensa osteoneogénese no recesso frontal, mucocelos, tumores ou trauma do seio frontal, não acessíveis por via endonasal. Apresentamos um caso clínico de um mucocelo frontal com invasão do espaço orbitário em que foi realizada uma abordagem combinada, utilizando-se a via endoscópica e a abordagem transcutânea da órbita a partir da prega palpebral superior, para aceder ao espaço extracónico e proceder à excisão da lesão. A anatomia do seio frontal é particularmente desafiante para o cirurgião. A propósito da descrição de um caso clínico pretende-se efetuar uma revisão das abordagens cirúrgicas para remoção de lesões localizadas no seio frontal com invasão orbitária, identificando limitações de cada uma das técnicas e possíveis vantagens de uma abordagem combinada.
Frontal sinus tumors have been treated since prehistoric times. Early surgeries were described with removal of part of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus, with significant aesthetic deformities. More differentiated surgeries were developed from the 19th century until the appearance of nasal endoscopy in the 1980s. Currently, the most used technique to access the paranasal sinuses is the functional endoscopic sinus surgery, whose main objective is to restore normal drainage and adequate ventilation using an endoscopic approach.External approaches to the frontal sinus have precise indications, either by direct visual control or by the inaccessibility of endoscopic access to certain areas of the frontal sinus. The main indications for this type of approach are: extensive osteoneogenesis in the frontal recess, mucoceles, tumors or trauma of the frontal sinus, not accessible by the endonasal approach.We present a case of a frontal mucocele with invasion of the orbital space in which a combined approach was used, using an endoscopic approach and an upper lid transcutaneous approach to the orbit, to access the extraconal space and proceed to the excision of the lesion.The anatomy of the frontal sinus is particularly challenging for the surgeon. We report an unusual case and review the surgical approaches for the removal of lesions located in the frontal sinus with orbital invasion, identifying limitations from each of these techniques and possible advantages of a combined approach.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
The positive identification of human remains that are decomposed, burnt, or otherwise disfigured can prove especially challenging in forensic anthropology, resulting in the need for specialized methods of analysis. Due to the unique morphological characteristics of the frontal sinus, a positive identification can be made in cases of unknown human remains, even when remains are highly cremated or decomposed. This study retrospectively reviews 3D CBCT images of a total of 43 Caucasian patients between the ages of 20-38 from the Indiana University School of Dentistry to quantify frontal sinus differences between adult males and females and investigate the usefulness of frontal sinus morphology for forensic identification. Digit codes with six sections and eleven-digit numbers were created to classify each individual sinus. It was shown that 3D CBCT images of the frontal sinus could be used to make a positive forensic identification. Metric measurements displayed a high degree of variability between sinuses and no two digit codes were identical. However, it was also shown that there were almost no quantifiable and significant sexually dimorphic differences between male and female frontal sinuses. This study confirms that sex determination should not be a primary goal of frontal sinus analysis and highlights the importance of creating a standard method of frontal sinus evaluation based on metric measurements.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Frontonasal malformation, FNM, was first described by Hoppe in 1859. FNM is an anomaly that is characterized by ocular hypertelorism, broad nasal root, lack of a nasal tip, V-shaped hair, prolongation onto the forehead (widow's peak), anterior cranium bifidum occultum, median facial cleft affecting the nose, upper lip, and/or palate, and uni- or bilateral clefting of the ala nasi. The anomalies noted in FNM may be explained as a single malformation. If the nasal capsule fails to develop properly, the primitive brain vesicle fills the space normally occupied by the capsule, thus producing anterior cranium bifidum occultum, an arrest in the positioning of the eyes, and a lack of formation of the nasal tip. The condition presents clinically with variable expressions as sporadic cases and infrequently in familial cases. The present study is the first attempting to quantify and characterize FNM via anatomic radiographic measurements. The lateral (LA) and posterior-anterior (PA) cephalometric radiographs of twenty-four individuals, both sporadic and familial, with FNM were analyzed for comparison of linear and angular measurements with previously published data of a "normal," i.e. unaffected, population standard. Usual and customary cephalometric points were identified and located, then digitized into the computer. Twenty-nine measurements included the previously diagnosed anomalous features of hypertelorism, medial nasal cavity, and palatal shelves, as well as other facial features. The radiographs of individuals with FNM have anatomic features that are unusual and distinct to the specific malformation. The data from this research suggest that patients with FNM, regardless of a genetic or sporadic predisposition, have a midface deficiency in height and depth, an increased interorbital width with possible increased orbital socket width, and a longer zygomatic buttress. Also, the familial cases tend to have a flatter cranial base than the sporadic cases. Furthermore, the familial patients might be a different type of FNM since this subgroup shows narrower zygomatic widths. The patients with surgical procedures demonstrated improvement different from the growth of those patients who did not have surgery. The hypothesis that the facies of a patient with frontonasal malformation is different from the "normal" control population is supported by this research. The differences between the familial and sporadic patients tend to support the general theory that genetic predisposition is less severe than FNM that occurs randomly.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2003.
Title from title page screen (viewed Sept. 23, 2003). Thesis advisor: Lyle W. Konigsberg. Document formatted into pages (ix, 147 p. : ill. (some col.)). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-144).

The current study uses the head and neck of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) as a model for tracking the course of evolutionary change. Gould (2002) has argued that there are three main avenues of evolutionary change that result in the genesis of new morphologies. These are phylogenetic constraints, structural or allometric scaling laws of form, and specific unique adaptations. It is well known that the unique characteristic of the giraffe is its extremely long neck and yet, it only has seven cervical vertebrae. To study the neck the vertebral body lengths of different aged giraffes were measured to determine the contribution of the cervical vertebrae to the total vertebral column. The vertebrae of several extant ungulates as well as those of fossil giraffids were used as a comparison with the giraffe. CT scans were used on several giraffe skulls to study the extent of the frontal sinus in the giraffe in an attempt to explain why the giraffe evolved such a large frontal sinus. The vertebral columns and skulls of several ungulates, including the okapi (Okapia johnstoni) were also used to compare with the results obtained from the giraffe. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the medulla and spinal cord sections of the giraffe to determine if the location and size of the nuclei remained unchanged to the basic ungulate or mammalian plan in spite of the unusually long neck, or if this long neck led to changes in the nuclei found in those regions. The results of these stains were all compared to the published literature available. Although more studies need to be conducted on other ungulates to conclusively determine why giraffe have evolved a long neck, overall the results showed that the anatomy giraffe head and neck remained true to the basic mammalian plan, with very little changing in terms of it morphology. The giraffe brain and spinal cord also resembled that of a typical ungulate. This leads to the conclusion that constraints and allometric scaling laws of form play a greater role than previously thought in the evolution of extreme morphologies.