Gender Determination Through Maxillary Sinus Volumes: A Single-Center Computed Tomography Study.

PURPOSE: To obtain values for gender determination using maxillary sinus measurements in human skeletal remains.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The images of 520 patients who underwent paranasal computed tomography were analyzed. Height (cm): Superior wall to the lowermost point of the inferior wall of the sinus, coronal plane width (cm): Outermost point of the lateral wall to the medial wall, axial plane length (cm): Longest anterior to posterior measurement of the cavity, axial plane, measurements of maxillary sinuses were made.

RESULTS

A statistically significant relationship exists between gender and the right maxillary sinus volume ( χ 2  = 30.468; accuracy = 62%; p < 0.001). 63.88% (n = 168) of those with a volume below 17.49 cm3 were female, while 39.69% (n = 102) of those with a volume of 17.49 cm3 or higher were female. There is a statistically significant relationship between gender and the left maxillary sinus volume ( χ 2  = 24.456; accuracy = 60%; p < 0.001). 63.95% (n = 149) of those with a volume below 18.08 cm3 were female, while 42.16% (n = 121) of those with a volume of 18.08 cm3 or higher were female.

CONCLUSION

In forensic skeletal cases with unknown sex, the length, width, height, and volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus using CT can determine whether it belongs to a male or a female.