Determination of gender based on frontal sinus dimensions using multi-detector computed tomography

Abstract

Background: Remains of skeleton are used for gender identification of individual. However, when the extreme post-mortem changes occur as in explosions and other mass disasters, identification and gender determination is often difficult. The skull is useful in gender assessment of skeletonized remains. Frontal sinus (FS) may be used in gender identification in recovered intact fragments. The present study is aimed to determine the gender based on frontal sinus dimensions using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). In our study two hundred and fifteen frontal sinuses were studied with age range from 20 to70 years with median age of 44 were selected for this study. FS dimensions for bilateral right and left sinuses (transverse, cranio-caudal & anteroposterior dimension) were measured from coronal and axial sections (4-mm slice thickness) using MDCT scanner. Transverse and craniocaudal (CC) dimensions of left frontal sinus was found statistically significant. Lower values for maximum transverse length of left FS and CC in female group were detected in comparison to the male group (p 0.002). Methods: Hospital based retrospective study. CT images of patients were retrieved and dimension of bilateral frontal sinuses were analyzed and was recorded on a data sheet. Results: In our study two hundred and fifteen frontal sinuses were studied with the age range from 20 to70 years with median age of 44 were selected for this study. FS dimensions for bilateral right and left sinuses (transverse, cranio-caudal dimension & anteroposterior lengths) were measured from axial and coronal sections(4-mm slice thickness) using MDCT scanner. Transverse and CC of left FS were found to be statistically significant. Lower values for the maximum transverse and CC dimensions of left FS in female group were detected in comparison to the male group (p 0.002). It can be concluded that FS dimensions measurement especially the left transverse and CC length are valuable in studying sexual dimorphism using MDCT image. Conclusion: From the current work, we concluded that CT scan helps in accurate measurements of FS (especially left anteroposterior length) and are valuable in differentiating gender. Keywords: Frontal sinus, Gender differentiation , Paranasal sinus.