CT-Based Morphometric Analysis Of Maxillary Sinus For Gender Identification: A Perspective Study Of North Karnataka Region

Abstract

AIM:

To evaluate the efficacy of maxillary sinus dimensions and volume measured by computed tomography (CT) of paranasal sinuses in gender determination of North Karnataka region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A transverse study design was used from the records of patients who attended the Department of Radiology at KLE’s Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Belagavi. The study included a total of 150 patients who were referred for a computed tomography (CT) scan of the paranasal sinuses. Measurements for medial-lateral (ML), superoinferior (SI), anteroposterior (AP) dimensions, and the volumes of both right and left maxillary sinuses were recorded using the ITK SNAP DICOM viewer.

RESULTS

The collection of participants demonstrated an evident male predominance over female in the region. The average ages of the male and female participants were 45.39 years and 33.43 years respectively. The analysis of maxillary sinus volume exhibited a significant difference of males having higher volume measurement than females on the right side. The difference of means between the genders on the left side were not significant, however, there was substantial recognition that males had greater sinus volume than females when examining the means of volumes on both sides. Females and males did not differ significantly by sex in the means of the measurements in linear dimensions; anteroposterior, mediolateral, superoinferior on both sides.

CONCLUSION

The current study ascertained the existence of sex-based differences in maxillary sinus volumes, specifically in total sinus volume, where males had larger volumes. Despite a lack of measurable linear differences by sex, volume proved to be a better differentiator for sex than linear measurements. As the accuracy and quality of imaging can greatly assist in clinical and forensic medicine evaluations, it may be beneficial to use CT scans for gender discrimination because of the detail provided in sinus shape assessment.