Computed tomographic study on patterns of frontal sinus

Frontal sinuses are paired lobulated cavities located posterior to the superciliary arches in the frontal bone and each frontal sinus opens in to the corresponding middle meatus via the infundibulum. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the sizes and patterns of frontal sinus in both genders which can be used for personal identification. Materials and methods: This study was conducted retrospectively on the paranasal CT scans of 2 mm thickness in the axial and coronal planes of 60 cases (30 male and 30 female) taken by a Siemens Emotion Tomography Machine in the Gandhi medical college and Hospital. The mean age range of the cases was 20- 67. All evaluations and measurements were done together by two radiologists. The measurements of widths, heights and total width of the two sinuses were performed on coronal plane. Antero posterior length was measured on axial plane. Measurements of both sides were compared with each other for total population and each gender. Cases were divided in to 2 subgroups according to age as 20- 40, 40-70 for each gender and each measurement parameter was also compared among the subgroups. Results: Bilateral absence of frontal sinus was observed in one case (female). There were four cases with unilateral absence of frontal sinus. The values of the measurements were higher for male in elderly age group (40-70) and also in young age group except height (left and right) and length (right). In males, anteroposterior length on left side is significantly higher (p< 0.05). In females, height on left side and anteroposterior length on right side is highly significant. (p< 0.05).