Sex Estimation With Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Maxillary Sinus From Computed Tomography Images.

Sex estimation from human skeletal relics is essential in creating an individual's biological profile. This study was performed to examine whether the dimensions and volume of the maxillary sinus can be used to estimate sex. The maxillary sinus's volume, length, width, and height were obtained on the paranasal computed tomography images of 232 adult subjects (116 males and 116 females). All parameters were significantly higher in males except for the right maxillary sinus length (P < 0.05). The highest precision for sex determination was the right maxillary sinus volume (68.1%). The ability of the maxillary sinus parameters to define sex was 78.6% for males and 58.6% for females. The precision of sex estimation of the maxillary sinus parameters was 68.2%. The volume and dimensions of the maxillary sinus can be useful for sex estimation in forensic sciences with a relatively close accuracy rate to reference value (close to 70%). The volume and dimensions of the maxillary sinus can be used for sex estimation together with other bony structures in the skull in cases where the entire skeleton is not available.

Anthropometric Periocular Soft Tissue Analysis From Preadolescence to Young Adulthood: Photogrammetric Measurements.

ABSTRACT: The periocular region has a central role in the prediction of ethnicity, understanding emotional expression, age, and sex. The aim of this study was to determine the sex-related growth changes in the periocular region of Turkish preadolescents, adolescents, and young adults. The study included a total of 234 individuals (preadolescents: 34 females and 40 males; adolescents: 40 females, 40 males, and young adults: 40 males and 40 females). A total of 7 periocular parameters (3 bilateral, 3 unilateral linear, and 1 angular measurement) were analyzed statistically to determine sex-related differences. The palpebral fissure and canthal indexes were also calculated. Of the 14 periocular measurements, 9 were found to be sexually dimorphic in certain age groups ( P < 0.05). Right-left palpebral fissure width and left palpebral fissure height were significantly different between young adult males and females ( P = 0.018, P = 0.013, and P = 0.027, respectively). A significant sexual dimorphism was observed for outercanthal distance and canthal index in 3 age groups ( P < 0.05). The data collected in this study may serve as a sex-dependent database source for the Turkish population during normal growth from preadolescence to young adulthood. The present study results would be useful for planning and designing aesthetic and post-traumatic surgical interventions in the periocular region as well as personal identification in this population.

Photographic Nasal Soft Tissue Analysis From Preadolescence to Young Adulthood: Anthropometric Measurements.

ABSTRACT: The nose has a tremendous effect on facial esthetics and overall facial harmony, accordingly it contributes to the physical appearance of individuals. The aim of this study is to establish sex-related nasal soft tissue norms for preadolescents, adolescents, and young adults in Anatolian population. A total of 300 volunteers (150 males and 150 females) with ages varying from 10 to 24 years were divided into 6 subgroups according to gender and educational status. The anthropometric measurements of the nose in preadolescent, adolescent, and young adult males and females were performed on digital photographs. A total of 16 nasal parameters, 13 linear and 3 angular measurements, were analyzed for sex-related variations. A significant sexual dimorphism was observed for nasofrontal and nasolabial angles in adolescent and young adult groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.011, and P = 0.007, respectively). All linear measurements of the nose were larger in males as compared to females, except for left alar thickness, which were similar between males and females in young adult group. Of the 16 nasal measurements, 13 were found to be sexually dimorphic in certain age groups (P < 0.05). In Anatolian population, the nasal shape and dimensions displayed significant sexual dimorphism in preadolescents, adolescents, and young adults. The average values of nasal soft tissue in this population could serve as a database for the planning of cosmetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty in the pediatric and adult population and obtaining the desired outcomes.

The computed tomographic evaluation of bony bridge of C1 as bleeding risk factor at the screw placement.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and morphological characteristics of ponticulus posticus (PP) and ponticulus lateralis (PL) using computed tomography (CT) images on a large study sample of the Anatolian population. The presence of the PP and PL bridges can limit gap available for placement procedure through the bony elements of C1. Routine screw techniques are contraindicated because of high risk of fatal bleeding of vertebral artery (VA). METHODS: The CT images of 1000 subjects (500 males, 500 females) were examined for the morphological characteristics and presence of PP and PL. The anteroposterior diameter, superoposterior (transverse) diameter, surface area, and central thickness of the bony bridge of the PP, PL, and transverse foramina (TF). RESULTS: The prevalence of PP was 14.8%, and bilateral complete PP was the most common PP type at 6.8%. The prevalence of PL was 4.1% and left-side complete PL was the most common PL type at 1.2%. The prevalence of both PP and PL was more common in males and bilateral complete PP were more predominant in males (p = 0.004, p = 0.038, and p = 0.010, respectively). The surface area of PP and PL were determined to be smaller than the surface area of the ipsilateral TF (p < 0.001 and p = 0.042, respectively). CONCLUSION: PP is not an uncommon anatomic anomaly and PL is even less frequently encountered. The prevalence of PP and PL was more common in males and bilateral complete PP was more predominant in males. Detailed information about the prevalence and morphometry of the PP and PL obtained in the present study could guide the clinicians dealing with neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and radiology in their practice.

Sex estimation with morphometric and morphological characteristics of the crista galli.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the dimensions of the crista galli (CG) in preserved skulls, and to examine the role of the morphometry and morphology of the CG on the sex estimation. METHODS: Anteroposterior, superoinferior, and laterolateral diameters of the CG were measured of 207 preserved adult skulls of Anatolia origin with known sex (108 males, 99 females) in the Anatolian population. CG were morphologically classified into three types according to the dimensions. The success of CG dimensions in sex determination was evaluated with ROC analysis, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. The relationship between morphological types of the CG and sex was analyzed with the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The anteroposterior and superoinferior diameters of the CG significantly were longer in males than females while the laterolateral diameter of the CG was wider in females (p < 0.001). Superoposterior diameter (88.4%) of the CG showed higher sex classification accuracy for sex estimation compared to the laterolateral (82.6%) and anteroposterior diameters (80.6%). When all three parameters were used together, the sex classification accuracy rate was 94.2%. The presence of ossified and tubular types of CG identified the male sex with 85% and 74.6% accuracy rates, respectively while teardrop type CG identified female sex with a 72.2% accuracy rate. CONCLUSION: CG exhibits sexual dimorphism both morphometrically and morphologically. The height, length, and width measurements and the morphological types of CG can be used in sex determination directly from the skull with high accuracy rates.

A comprehensive morphometric analysis of crista galli for sex determination with a novel morphological classification on computed tomography images.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the morphometry of the crista galli (CG) on paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNCT) images to develop a new approach of morphological classification with objective radiological criteria and to investigate the relationship of morphometric and morphological characteristics with gender. METHODS: The height, width, and length of the CG were measured on the PNCT images of 533 subjects (266 males, 267 females). Based on the dimensions and the presence of the cavitary component of the CG, the CG was classified into three morphological types. The success of CG dimensions and new morphological classification of CG in the determination of gender was evaluated with ROC and Paired Logistic Regression analyses. RESULTS: The morphometric cutoff values of the height, width, and length of the CG for the estimation of gender were determined as 15.15, 3.45, and 13.25 mm, respectively. CG length (accuracy 83.7%) showed more successful classification rate on gender determination as compared to height (accuracy: 81.4%), and width (accuracy 81.2%) of the CG. The presence of ossified type CG accurately identified the male sex at a rate of 88.7%, and teardrop type CG determined female sex at a rate of 82.9%. Tubular type CG identified male sex correctly at the rate of 65.8%. CONCLUSION: The height, length, and width measurements of CG on PNCT images and the new morphological types recommended in this study can be used in the determination of gender with high accuracy rates.

Global research productivity and publication trends in vesicoureteral reflux: a bibliometric analysis.

INTRODUCTION: To make a holistic, comprehensive analysis of scientific publications on the subject of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) between 1980 and 2019 using bibliometric methods, and by determining global research trends, to establish an important resource for future studies. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: All the scientific documents were accessed which had the key word "vesicoureteral reflux" in the "Title" section in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 1980 and 2019. Using bibliometric methods, articles related to VUR (access date:20.08.2020) were analyzed. VOS viewer software was used to visualize the bibliometric network. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A total of 2549 publications related to VUR were identified in literature, of which 1387 were articles. There was observed to be a generally increasing trend in the number of articles. According to the results of the regression analysis, the number of articles is expected to increase to 54 in 2020, and to 63 by 2029. The 5 most productive countries were seen to be the USA, Turkey, Japan, Italy and Germany. The 5 journals contributing most to the literature were the Journal of Urology (397), Urology (86), Journal of Pediatric Urology (75), Pediatric Nephrology (64) and European Urology (37). CONCLUSIONS: The number of publications on the subject of VUR is expected to continue increasing in the next 10 years. This study, which has provided a detailed and comprehensive analysis of articles related to VUR, can be considered a useful guide for future studies by physicians and researchers.

Biomechanical comparison of different suture materials with different techniques in tendon repair: An ex-vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: Sheep Achilles tendons are used as an effective preclinical model of flexor tendon repair in plastic surgery, due to their biomechanical properties, which are similar to humans. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and biomechanical outcomes of suture materials and tendon repair techniques in flexor tendon repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 72 sheep tendons were obtained for a total of 12 different scenarios. Tendons were repaired using 4 different suture types and 3 different suture techniques. After repair, the tendons were fixed at both ends and subjected to biomechanical tests. Ultimate Failure Load (UFL) and 2-mm Gap Load (GL) per scenario were compared statistically within and between groups. RESULTS: UFL and GL of all sutures were significantly different between the modified Kessler, Bunnell and Krackow techniques (P < 0.05), and between Monosorb, Ti-Cron and V-loc sutures (P < 0.05). UFL and GL according to repair technique were not significantly different for the Propilen suture (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: When UFL and GL were considered together, our findings indicate that optimal strength scenarios were for the modified Kessler technique using Monosorb or V-loc sutures.

The estimation of bone cyst volume using the Cavalieri principle on computed tomography images.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the volume of bone cyst using the planimetry method of the Cavalieri principle. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on data from 25 computed tomography (CT) images of patients with bone cyst. The volume of the cysts was calculated by two independent observers using the planimetry method. The procedures were repeated 1 month later by each observer. RESULTS: The overall mean volume of the bone cyst was 29.25 ± 25.86 cm3. The mean bone cyst volumes calculated by the first observer for the first and second sessions were 29.18 ± 26.14 and 29.27 ± 26.19 cm3, respectively. The mean bone cyst volumes calculated by the second observer for the first and second sessions were 29.32 ± 26.36 and 29.23 ± 26.36 cm3, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no difference and high agreement between the first and second measurements of both observers. The Bland-Altman plots showed strong intraobserver and interobserver concordance in the measurement of the bone cyst volume. The mean total time necessary to obtain the cyst volume by the two observers was 5.27 ± 2.30 min. CONCLUSION: The bone cyst of the patients can be objectively evaluated using the planimetry method of the Cavalieri principle on CT. This method showed high interobserver and intraobserver agreement. This volume measurement can be used to evaluate cyst remodeling, including complete healing and cyst recurrence.

The effects of stabilization splint treatment on the volume of masseter muscle in sleep bruxism patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, quantitatively, the volumetric effects of stabilization splint therapy on the masseter muscle of sleep bruxism (SB) patients. METHODS: The magnetic resonance (MR) images of 16 SB patients diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG) who used stabilization splints for four months were obtained before and after the therapy. The masseter muscle volume was calculated using Cavalieri's principle on the MR images. RESULTS: After the splint therapy, the mean volume of the masseter muscle did not reduce significantly. The fat and/or water content of the muscles did not change either. DISCUSSION: The stabilization splint therapy had no effect on the volume, fat and/or water content of the masseter muscle; however the discomfort was reduced in the patients. Although the effect of splint therapy is not fully understood, the non-invasive and reversible stabilization splint can be used in SB patients because of its relaxation effect on muscles.