Diagnostic Accuracy of Computed Tomography Based Anthropometric Measurements of Maxillary Sinuses in Sex Determination in Pakistani Population

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of CT based anthropometric measurements of maxillary sinuses in sex determination of human beings Methodoloy: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Dow University of Health Sciences’ Institute of Radiology from October 2019 till June 2020. Cases of CT para nasal sinuses with morphologically intact maxillary sinuses without any disease were included. The anthropometric measurements of the maxillary sinuses were determined by a radiologist. Using those values, sex was predicted by a formula and compared with actual sex to determine diagnostic accuracy and reliability of CT scan. Results: We reviewed CT scan PNS of 97 patients (194 sinuses); 45 females and 52 males. Most of the patients were between 20-40 years of age (75.6). All the dimensions and volumes were larger in males than females and statistically significant. When using the dimensions of both maxillary sinuses (n 194 sinuses) on CT scans, the over all diagnostic accuracy to determine sex was found to be 90 with accuracy of 78 in females and 100 in males. However, the reliability (predictive value) for females and males was 100 and 84.5, respectively. Conclusion: CT measurements of maxillary sinuses are useful to determine sex in forensic identification. If the CT scan suggests that the skull belongs to a female or a male, the probability that it would turn out to be so is100 and 84.5, respectively.