Applicability of facial soft tissue thickness measurements in 3-dimensionally reconstructed multidetector-row CT images for forensic anthropological examination

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the applicability of facial soft tissue measurements using 3-dimensional reconstructed MDCT and to compare the results with previously reported Japanese data. Methods and materials This study included 50 Japanese cadavers who underwent postmortem whole body 16-detector CT within 0–3 days after death. Using 3-D workstation, 10 anthropological measuring points were located and the soft tissue thicknesses were measured. The differences between the acquired thickness and the previously reported Japanese average thickness were statistically analyzed. Results All measuring points were readily determined on the 3-dimensional reconstructed images. Previous Japanese cadaveric data was thinner than our data in almost all sites except for 1 measuring point (mid-philtrum). Previous living Japanese data was thicker than ours except for 1 measuring point (end of nasal). Conclusion Facial soft tissue thickness was easily assessed using 3-D reconstructed MDCT images. At many measuring points, our results were thicker than previously reported cadaveric data and were thinner than the data from live persons.