Computer‑aided craniofacial superimposition validation study: the identification of the leaders and participants of the Polish‑Lithuanian January Uprising (1863–1864)

In 2017, a series of human remains corresponding to the executed leaders of the “January Uprising” of 1863–1864 were uncovered at the Upper Castle of Vilnius (Lithuania). During the archeological excavations, 14 inhumation pits with the human remains of 21 individuals were found at the site. The subsequent identification process was carried out, including the analysis and cross-comparison of post-mortem data obtained in situ and in the lab with ante-mortem data obtained from historical archives. In parallel, three anthropologists with diverse backgrounds in craniofacial identification and two students without previous experience attempted to identify 11 of these 21 individuals using the craniofacial superimposition technique. To do this, the five participants had access to 18 3D scanned skulls and 14 photographs of 11 different candidates. The participants faced a cross-comparison problem involving 252 skull-face overlay scenarios. The methodology follows the main agreements of the European project MEPROCS and uses the software Skeleton-ID™. Based on MEPROCS standard, a final decision was provided within a scale, assigning a value in terms of strong, moderate, or limited support to the claim that the skull and the facial image belonged (or not) to the same person for each case. The problem of binary classification, positive/negative, with an identification rate for each participant was revealed. The results obtained in this study make the authors think that both the quality of the materials used and the previous experience of the analyst play a fundamental role when reaching conclusions using the CFS technique.CRUE-CSICSpanish Government Junta de Andalucia CONFIA 2021/C005/00141299 EXAISFI PID2021-122916NB-I00Centro de Investigacion de Galicia "CITIC" - Xunta de Galicia P18-FR-4262European Union (European Regional Development Fund-Galicia 2014-2020 Program)Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning, Republic of Korea ED431G 2019/01Universidade da Cor una/CISUG RYC2020-029454-

Hierarchical information fusion for decision making in craniofacial superimposition

Craniofacial superimposition is one of the most important skeleton-based identification methods. The process studies the possible correspondence between a found skull and a candidate (missing person) through the superimposition of the former over a variable number of images of the face of the latter. Within craniofacial superimposition we identified three different stages, namely: (1) image acquisition-processing and landmark location; (2) skull-face overlay; and (3) decision making. While we have already proposed and validated an automatic skull-face overlay technique in previous works, the final identification stage, decision making, is still performed manually by the expert. This consists of the determination of the degree of support for the assertion that the skull and the ante-mortem image belong to the same person. This decision is made through the analysis of several criteria assessing the skull-face anatomical correspondence based on the resulting skull-face overlay. In this contribution, we present a hierarchical framework for information fusion to support the anthropologist expert in the decision making stage. The main goal is the automation of this stage based on the use of several skull-face anatomical criteria combined at different levels by means of fuzzy aggregation functions. We have implemented two different experiments for our framework. The first aims to obtain the most suitable aggregation functions for the system and the second validates the proposed framework as an identification system. We tested the framework with a dataset of 33 positive and 411 negative identification instances. The present proposal is the first automatic craniofacial superimposition decision support system evaluated in an objective and statistically meaningful way. © 2017 Elsevier B.V

Augmented Reality-Assisted Craniotomy for Parasagittal and Convexity En Plaque Meningiomas and Custom-Made Cranio-Plasty: A Preliminary Laboratory Report

Background: This report discusses the utility of a wearable augmented reality platform in neurosurgery for parasagittal and convexity en plaque meningiomas with bone flap removal and custom-made cranioplasty. Methods: A real patient with en plaque cranial vault meningioma with diffuse and extensive dural involvement, extracranial extension into the calvarium, and homogeneous contrast enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI, was selected for this case study. A patient-specific manikin was designed starting with the segmentation of the patient’s preoperative MRI images to simulate a craniotomy procedure. Surgical planning was performed according to the segmented anatomy, and customized bone flaps were designed accordingly. During the surgical simulation stage, the VOSTARS head-mounted display was used to accurately display the planned craniotomy trajectory over the manikin skull. The precision of the craniotomy was assessed based on the evaluation of previously prepared custom-made bone flaps. Results: A bone flap with a radius 0.5 mm smaller than the radius of an ideal craniotomy fitted perfectly over the performed craniotomy, demonstrating an error of less than ±1 mm in the task execution. The results of this laboratory-based experiment suggest that the proposed augmented reality platform helps in simulating convexity en plaque meningioma resection and custom-made cranioplasty, as carefully planned in the preoperative phase. Conclusions: Augmented reality head-mounted displays have the potential to be a useful adjunct in tumor surgical resection, cranial vault lesion craniotomy and also skull base surgery, but more study with large series is needed

NUOVE TECNOLOGIE NELL¿AMBITO DELL¿ANTROPOLOGIA FISICA E FORENSE:IMAGING E MODELLAZIONE 3D

Aim of this study is the investigation of the potentialities and limits of the new 3D technologies to be used for documentation, archiving and imaging in the context of Physical and Forensic Anthropology. The widest possible variety of anthropological material was digitally acquired: from skeletal remains into an archaeological site, skeletal elements acquired in the laboratory, to living subjects. The most effective "techniques" for the acquisition of different types of materials were studied and the limits of the scan based on the intrinsic characteristics of the material acquired and the type of instrument used were checked. The Laser Scanner technology has proved to be the most suitable and fast for the acquisition of Skull and Mandible on which to conduct studies about biological profile and identification. The 3D models acquired using Laser Scanner have been used to test a technique of craniofacial Superimposition. The results show that the use of the 3D model of the skull facilitates the process of superimposition; the persistence of a high percentage of false positives indicates that this technique should not be used to identify, it could rather be utilized to exclude. The models of the skull and mandible acquired with 3D laser scanners have been tested as a base to conduct facial reconstructions in the virtual environment. The facial reconstructions performed by two inter-operators were compared using a colorimetric map that has detected good homogeneity in morphometric terms in specific regions of the face but also discrepancies partly due to the different locations of some landmarks made by the two operators, partly due to the shortage of landmarks. New CT technologies generation were also tested: the possibility of age determination from dental volumes was studied with the cone-beam CT technology. Through the use of free software it has been possible to obtain the necessary volumes to calculate the relationship between the volume of the pulp and the volume of its corresponding tooth and carry out the study of the regression. The coefficient of correlation and determination found are comparable to those conducted by other authors using the most expensive equipment; the equation obtained still shows, however, lack of precision of the estimation age. A study that shows that the use of CBCT technology can improve the investigation of morphological stab wounds on cancellous bones was conducted. Conversely metric analysis of the lesions seems not to be very reliable. The acquisition of stab wound with pQCT technology was conducted in a real case: a 3D model was created, in order to allow the operator to define the volume of the lack of tissues related to the lesion. The application of pQCT scan proved to be a potentially useful tool for assessment of bone trauma. As regards the antemortem injury, the CBCT technology was used in the evaluation of the internal structure of the callus. The results could lay the foundation for new perspectives on bone callus evaluation and aging with cone-beam CT technique. In conclusion this study has showed and tested the various applications of 3D technologies in Physical and Forensic Anthropology, defining their limits and in awareness of the importance of the irreplaceable critical judgment of the operator

A Textbook of Advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The scope of OMF surgery has expanded; encompassing treatment of diseases, disorders, defects and injuries of the head, face, jaws and oral cavity. This internationally-recognized specialty is evolving with advancements in technology and instrumentation. Specialists of this discipline treat patients with impacted teeth, facial pain, misaligned jaws, facial trauma, oral cancer, cysts and tumors; they also perform facial cosmetic surgery and place dental implants. The contents of this volume essentially complements the volume 1; with chapters that cover both basic and advanced concepts on complex topics in oral and maxillofacial surgery