Sex Determination Using Human Sphenoid Sinus in a Northeast Iranian Population: A Discriminant Function Analysis.

Statement of the Problem: Sex determination, using skeletal remains, is of paramount importance in forensic studies. The skull accounts for the most sexual dimorphism after the pelvis. Recent studies have shown that paranasal sinuses are valuable in sex determination and considering the location of the sphenoid sinus, the risk of traumatic injuries to this structure is low. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the morphology of the sphenoid sinus and determine the validity of sphenoid sinus volume (SSV) in sex determination using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, CBCT images of 469 Iranian patients (186 male and 283 female), aged 24-45 years, were selected. The morphology of the sphenoid sinus was recorded. 3D Slicer software (4.10.0) was used to assess SSVs in coronal and axial planes. For data analysis, t-test, chi-square test, and discriminant function analysis (DFA) were performed using predictive analytics software (ver. 18.0). Results: The most common morphology of the sphenoid sinus in both genders was the sellar type (50.5%). SSV was significantly larger in males than in females (p< 0.001). DFA showed that the capability of SSV in sex identification was 86.0% and 92.9% in males and females, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that SSV is a reliable variable in gender discrimination in a northeast Iranian population. However, since the morphology of the sphenoid sinus and sex were independent of each other, the morphology of the sphenoid sinus is not a suitable indicator for sex determination.

Bone Regeneration Effect of Nanochitosan with or without Temporally Controlled Release of Dexamethasone.

INTRODUCTION: Chitosan is a cationic biopolymer, and its modification as a nanoparticle as well as loading a corticosteroid on it may enhance its bone regenerative effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the bone regenerative effect of nanochitosan with or without dexamethasone. METHODS: Under general anesthesia, 4 cavities were created in the calvarium of 18 rabbits and filled with nanochitosan, nanochitosan with a temporally controlled release of dexamethasone (nanochitosan + dexamethasone), an autograft, or left unfilled (control). The defects were then covered with a collagen membrane. The rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups and were sacrificed at 6 or 12 weeks after surgery. The new bone type, osteogenesis pattern, foreign body reaction, and the type and severity of the inflammatory response were evaluated histologically. The amount of new bone was determined using histomorphometry and cone-beam computed tomographic imaging. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was performed to compare results between the groups at each interval. A t test and chi-square test were also conducted to analyze changes in variables between the 2 intervals. RESULTS: Nanochitosan and the combination of nanochitosan and dexamethasone significantly increased the combination of woven and lamellar bone (P = .007). No sample showed a foreign body reaction or any acute or severe inflammation. Chronic inflammation was significantly decreased in number (P = .002) and severity (P = .003) over time. There was no significant difference between the extent and pattern of osteogenesis among the 4 groups, as evaluated by histomorphometry and cone-beam computed tomographic imaging at each interval. CONCLUSION: Nanochitosan and nanochitosan + dexamethasone were comparable with the gold standard of autograft regarding the type and severity of inflammation as well as the level and pattern of osteogenesis; yet, they induced more woven and lamellar bone.

Surgical Ciliated Cyst of the Posterior Maxilla in an Old Male, Mimicking Residual Cyst or Odontogenic Keratocyst: A Case Report.

Surgical ciliated cysts of the maxilla arise from respiratory epithelium that lodges in the maxilla after radical maxillary or sinus surgery. This case report was conducted in 2020 in Mashhad Dental School, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran. We present here an unusual case of surgical ciliated cyst of a 73-year-old adult male patient with a history of nasal polyp surgery 40 years ago. Early diagnosis due to CBCT and Clinical examination was a residual cyst or OKC (odontogenic keratocyst). The histopathology result of this lesion surprised us after the excisional biopsy and enucleation. The clinical examinations and radiographs of the jaw lesions may lead the maxillofacial surgeons to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Therefore, it is obligatory to notice all aspects of these lesions carefully.