Assessment of frontal sinus, maxillary sinus dimensions, and nasal septal pattern in gender determination: A retrospective CBCT study

Abstract

Background: Frontal sinus pattern is unique for each individual which has made it an important tool in forensic sciences. The dimensions of the maxillary sinus also tend to stabilize after puberty and remain intact when skull bones are poorly disfigured. These sinuses exhibit different dimensions among male and female subjects. Nasal septum patterns can be utilized as a tool. Aims and Objective: The present study is intended to determine the sexual dimorphism with dimensions of the frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, and nasal septum pattern by cone beam computed topography. Materials and Method: The study subject consisted of 100 images of CBCT images which were collected from the database retrospectively. The obtained data were statistically analyzed. Results: The parameters were higher in male in comparison to female subjects. The length, height of the maxillary sinus, and frontal sinus width showed statistically significant results. The deviated nasal septum was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The maxillary sinus and frontal sinus are utilized for personal identification and gender determination with the nasal septum as an adjuvant tool.

Keywords

• cone beam computed tomography
• forensic science
• frontal sinus
• maxillary sinus