Sex estimation using maxillary sinus volume for Chinese subjects based on cone-beam computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Forensic anthropology
• Medical imaging
• Human identification

Background:

• Sex estimation is crucial in forensic science for individual identification.
• Maxillary sinus and teeth are potential anatomical indicators for sex estimation.
• Limited research exists on sex estimation using these methods in the Chinese population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sex estimation formula using maxillary sinus volume for the northwestern Chinese population.
• To compare the accuracy of sex estimation based on maxillary sinus volume versus teeth measurements.
• To validate the formula using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.

Main Methods:

• CBCT images from 349 individuals were analyzed.
• Volumes of left and right maxillary sinuses were measured.
• A formula was developed using 80% of the data (training set) and tested on 20% (testing set).
• Accuracy was compared with sex estimation using canine and molar measurements.

Main Results:

• Sex estimation accuracy using left maxillary sinus volume reached 78.57%, and right reached 74.29%.
• Accuracy was significantly higher for females (91.43% with left sinus) than males (65.71%).
• Maxillary sinus volume was generally larger in males.
• Teeth measurements, specifically canine volume, showed higher accuracy than maxillary sinus volume.

Conclusions:

• Maxillary sinus volume measurement via CBCT is a reliable alternative method for sex estimation.
• A specific formula was established for accurate sex assessment in the northwestern Chinese population.
• Comparison with teeth measurements enhances the reliability of maxillary sinus volume as a forensic tool.