Morphometric and volumetric evaluation of maxillary sinus as an aid in sex identification in forensic odontology – A cone-beam computed tomography study

Abstract

Background: Various methods are used in forensic odontology for the purpose of sex and personal identification. Some of them include cheiloscopy, rugoscopy, mandibular measurements, and study of paranasal sinuses. In our study, we have used maxillary sinus as an aid in sex identification. For this purpose, we have evaluated the morphometric and volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus using a 3-Dimensional imaging modality, Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Aims and Objectives: Sex and age identification are important in the process of identification of both the living and the dead. Hence, this transverse retrospective study was done to appraise the precision of the dimensions and volume of the maxillary sinus to aid in sex and age identification. Material and Methods: Eighty full Field of View (FOV) Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images were retrieved from the archives which were matched with age and sex. The maxillary sinuses on either side were measured mediolaterally in the axial section and supero-inferiorly in the coronal section. The volumetric analysis of the sinus was done in the sagittal section. The sex was classified using discriminant function analysis and the differences were compared using independent t-test. The differences with age were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: Independent t-test was done for comparison of the sinuses between both sexes. Maxillary sinuses measurements were larger among the males both superior-inferiorly on either side (P <0.001) and mediolaterally on the right (P <0.049) showed statistically significant values. A significant correlation existed while comparing the maxillary sinus volume among both the sexes on either side (P <0.001 and <0.002 in the case of right and left respectively). On comparing the supero-inferior and mediolateral measurements and the maxillary sinus volume on either side among the various age groups, the values were statistically insignificant. Present study shows that the maxillary sinus measurements using Cone-beam computed tomography were diagnostic in the identification of sex but not in age estimation and can be used in forensic dentistry.