Anat Cell Biol.  2022 Sep;55(3):294-303. 10.5115/acb.22.075.

Distribution of frontal sinus pattern amongst Malaysian population: a skull radiograph study

• Iwani Zulkiflee ND
• Chainchel Singh MK
• Alias A
• Hadi Pritam HM
• Chung E
• Sakaran R
• Zaidun NH
• Woon CK

• KMID: 2533354
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.22.075

Abstract

Frontal sinus has unique anatomical features that are distinct to every population. However, the distribution of frontal sinus patterns has yet to be explored in the Malaysian population. This study aimed to describe the distribution of frontal sinus patterns among adult Malaysians. 409 adult Malaysian posteroanterior skull radiographs, consisting of 200 males and 209 females of Malay, Chinese, and Indian races aged between 20–69 years old, were included in the study. The frontal sinus patterns were classified according to total and percentage of presence or absence of frontal sinus, symmetry or asymmetrical (right or left dominant), unilateral absence (right or left), bilateral absence, and lobulation. The findings showed that bilateral presence of frontal sinus is common, in 95.4% of individuals and bilateral absence was noted in 2.7% individuals. Unilateral absence was found in 2.0% of individuals. Asymmetrical frontal sinus was observed in 54.5% of population meanwhile 40.8% showed symmetrical frontal sinus. The majority of individuals, regardless of sex, race, and age, possessed 1 to 3 lobes on both sides of the frontal sinus. The findings suggest that the frontal sinus is highly asymmetric, and the absence of the frontal sinus is rare. This morphological variation provides an insight into the landmarking placement for measurement during forensic application and assists neurosurgeons in surgical procedure to avoid breaching of the frontal sinus.

Keyword

Forensic anthropology; Frontal sinus; Malaysian; Radiograph

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Classification of frontal sinus pattern.

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  Fig. 2 Various frontal sinus patterns: (A) symmetrical, (B) left asymmetry, (C) right asymmetry, (D) unilateral absence, and (E) bilateral absence. Red arrows shows frontal sinus. R, right side.

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  Fig. 3 Bar graph of frontal sinus patterns distribution between sex groups, males (n=200) and females (n=209).

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  Fig. 4 Bar graph of frontal sinus patterns distribution between race groups, Malays (n=136), Chinese (n=138), and Indians (n=135).

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  Fig. 5 Bar graph of frontal sinus patterns distribution between age groups, group I (n=82), group II (n=79), group III (n=83), group IV (n=82), and group V (n=83). Age range: group I, 20–29 yr; group II, 30–39 yr; group III, 40–49 yr; group IV, 50–59 yr; group V, 60–69 yr.

Reference

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