Gender Determination by Measuring Maxillary Sinus Volume Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

Rationale and Objectives Skeleton analysis based on age and gender is of great importance since it is an initial step in personal identification and can be used to rebuild biological profiles and narrow down diagnosis toward correct possibilities of any unknown skeletons. Different dimensions of the maxillary sinus (MS) can be used to differentiate between gender. This study aims to evaluate and compare the dimensions and volume of MS among age and genders.Materials and Methods Ninety patients (male 49, female 41) were studied. Different dimensions of MS, like anteroposterior (AP), superioinferior (SI), mediolateral (ML) diameter, volume of MS, and the distance between two MS were measured on computed tomography (CT) paranasal sinus images using an inbuilt electronic caliper on Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine viewer software.Statistical Analysis Independent t-test and analysis of variance were used for data analysis in genders and age groups. Paired t-test was used for comparison of right and left MS.Results The dimensions and volume of MS were higher in males than females. Dimensions such as AP, SI diameter (p < 0.005), and volume of MS (p < 0.001) were significantly different in genders. The ML diameter and the distance between two MS were statistically insignificant in genders. No significant difference between MS dimensions and volume was noted in different age groups, but age group 3 (41–55 years) showed higher mean values for all the measurements. A consistency was noted in the measurements in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images.Conclusion MS dimensions are greater in males compared with females. The different dimensions and volumes of the MS using 2D or 3D CT scan images can be used along with other methods for gender determination in forensic anthropology.