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The Diagnostic Value of Anthropometric Indices of Maxillary Sinuses for Sex Determination Using Ct-Scan Images in Iranian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Publisher Pubmed



Akhlaghi M1, 2 ; Bakhtavar K3 ; Kamali A1 ; Maarefdoost J1 ; Sheikhazadi A1 ; Mousavi F4 ; Saberi Anary SH5 ; Sheikhazadi E6
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Legal Medicine Organization of Iran, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Forensic Medicine Department, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Faculty of Health Management & Information Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
  6. 6. Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery of Khorramabad, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Published:2017


Abstract

Background The identification of human remains is an essential part of forensic science. Studying paranasal sinuses is very useful in identification of mutilated or burnt bodies from accidents such as plane crashes. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of anthropometric indices of maxillary sinuses for sex determination using CT-scan images in Iranian adults. Methods CT-scan slices of 228 maxillary sinuses (from 144 men and 144 women) were studied. The maximum height, maximum anterior-posterior diameter, maximum width, and maximum distance between the sinuses were measured in both sexes. Our participants were divided into three age groups of 20–34, 35–49, and over 50 to compare the recorded measurements in different age groups. Results We found a significant difference between men and women regarding the maximum height, maximum width, maximum A-P diameter of sinuses and the maximum distance between the right and left maxillary sinuses in all of our participants. We also found that the highest accuracy for sex determination was related to the maximum distance between the sinuses (65.6%) and the lowest to the maximum width of the right sinus (56.2%). The most accurate identification resulted from assessing the maximum distance between the sinuses in the 20–34 age group (74.3%), the maximum anterior-posterior diameter of the sinuses in the 35–49 age group (62.8%) and the maximum height of the left sinus in the over 50 age group (65.7%). Conclusion Regardless of age, according to our study the parameters of height, width, anterior-posterior diameter of sinuses and the maximum distance between the right and left maxillary sinuses are partially valuable for sex determination. The most accurate sex identification was examined in the 20–34 age group from studying the maximum distance between the sinuses. Especially in the over 50 age group, it is not enough to consider the sinus parameter for sex identification. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine