Sex Estimation With Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Maxillary Sinus From Computed Tomography Images

Abstract

Sex estimation from human skeletal relics is essential in creating an individual’s biological profile. This study was performed to examine whether the dimensions and volume of the maxillary sinus can be used to estimate sex. The maxillary sinus’s volume, length, width, and height were obtained on the paranasal computed tomography images of 232 adult subjects (116 males and 116 females). All parameters were significantly higher in males except for the right maxillary sinus length (P < 0.05). The highest precision for sex determination was the right maxillary sinus volume (68.1%). The ability of the maxillary sinus parameters to define sex was 78.6% for males and 58.6% for females. The precision of sex estimation of the maxillary sinus parameters was 68.2%. The volume and dimensions of the maxillary sinus can be useful for sex estimation in forensic sciences with a relatively close accuracy rate to reference value (close to 70%). The volume and dimensions of the maxillary sinus can be used for sex estimation together with other bony structures in the skull in cases where the entire skeleton is not available.