Efficacy of Mastoid Morphometry in Sex Determination Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Analysis in Dakshina Kannada Population.

Aim: To evaluate the morphology of the mastoid process and its role in sex determination with the help of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 200 adults who were subjected to full FOV CBCT scans (100 males and 100 females). Eight parameters of the mastoid process were assessed for sex determination. The study measured eight parameters of the mastoid process, including mastoid length (ML), mastoid width, mastoid height (MH), intermastoidale distance (IMD), intermastoidale lateral surface distance (IMLSD), mastoid medial convergence angle, mastoid size (MS), and mastoid surface area (MSA). Data were recorded and statistically analyzed.

Results: Statistics revealed a significant value for MH (p < 0.001), IMD (p < 0.001), IMLSD (p < 0.001), MSA (p < 0.001), MS (p < 0.001), and ML (p = 0.032). A highly significant value was noted for MH (p < 0.001), IMD (p < 0.001), IMLSD (p < 0.001), MSA (p < 0.001), MS (p < 0.001), followed by ML, all of which were found to be greater in males. Out of the eight parameters, IMD was found to be the best sex determinant among all the eight parameters, with an accuracy of 70%. The study showed a significant difference between the mastoid process morphometric measurements for males and females.

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the present study that IMD can be used as a good index for sex determination. The combined parameters that were found to be the most accurate were right MH, left ML, and IMLSD, with an accuracy of 75%.

Clinical significance: The three-dimensional imaging techniques can contribute significantly towards disaster victim identification and sex determination in the fields of forensic odontology and anthropology. For the recognition of victims, sex determination becomes one of the most difficult parameters to assess. In such events, the mastoid process can become an important anatomical landmark for the estimation of sex. This is due to the condensed nature of the petrous bone and its protected position in the skull. How to cite this article: Ahmed J, Saha A, Muralidharan A, et al. Efficacy of Mastoid Morphometry in Sex Determination Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Analysis in Dakshina Kannada Population. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(5):453-458.