The use of hyoid bone dimensions in age and sex estimation in a Turkish population: a cone-beam computed tomography study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine sex and age from hyoid bone morphology on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 130 CBCT images. Eight different measurements were performed for each hyoid bone. Fusion conditions were assigned to each side of the hyoid bone separately as; unfused, partially fused, and totally fused. RESULTS: The hyoid length, width of the left proximal end and stature variables showed sexual dimorphism in all hyoid fusion types (p < 0.05). In young adult age group, a significant difference was found between sex and fusion types (p = 0.025). The body length (81.35%) and stature measurements (76.25%) contributed most significantly to sex estimation. CONCLUSIONS: Patient's CBCT scans which enable reproducible and reliable measurements for bone tissues can be used for forensic procedures. Hyoid bone measurements with CBCT are useful methodology for age and sex estimation in forensic sciences with high predictive accuracy.