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Analysis of Frontal and Maxillary Sinus Dimensions by Computed Tomography scans for Sex Determination

Garza, Chelsea Raye
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1503234651997034

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Anatomy.
Sex identification is a crucial step in the identification process of unknown human remains, and is mandated by law and complies with social norms. This task becomes increasingly difficult with remains that have badly decomposed, or have been distorted by any natural, or man-made disasters. Thus, methods of identification must be established for when incomplete, or damaged remains are found. The goal of this study was to apply previously established methods of sex estimation utilizing the sinus’ to test their accuracy on a new sample. A retrospective study was performed on previously acquired CT scans within the IBRC database. The study was designed to measure volume of the frontal and maxillary sinus, as well as the medial-lateral, superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior dimensions of the maxillary sinus, in an attempt to replicate two previously established methods of sex identification in an effort to identify a preferential sinus for sex identification. 57 subjects (30 male, 27 female) were identified and their CT scans were used to obtain measurements utilizing Osirix Software. Intraobserver error was first quantified within the current study. A statistically significant difference (p<0.0001) was found between frontal sinus volume when measured by the same observer, which suggests measurement error, and a need for cautionary interpretation or application of results. A nonsignificant statistical difference (p=0.195) was found between the male and female sample frontal sinus volumes, which determined this parameter to be unfit for use in sex determination due to the lack of sexual dimorphism. This was further supported with the attempted replication of previously established frontal sinus formulas by Michel et al. (2015) which yielded a considerably low overall accuracy rate of 59.6%. All maxillary sinus parameters were determined to have nonsignificant statistical differences (p > 0.05) between the right and left, suggesting that utilizing both sides for future studies may not be necessary. Four measurements were used to determine if sexual dimorphism exists in the maxillary sinus with varying results: superior-inferior linear length (p = 0.003), medial-lateral linear length (p = 0.0.048), anterior-posterior linear length (p = 0.047), and volume (p = 0.069). Despite three of the parameters indicating statistical significance, only the superior-inferior dimension between the male and female samples shows practical relevance. The overall weak relationships between sexes indicate a general lack of sexual dimorphism of parameters used in the previously established maxillary sinus formulae developed by Rai et al. (2016). Furthermore, these formulas resulted in variable sex identification accuracy, with the best results obtained using the formula for the right maxillary sinus only. This produced sex prediction with an accuracy rate of only 60.00% within the male sample, and 62.96% in the female sample. This study determined that the right maxillary sinus formula provided the best accuracy results within the given sample, however these results are still lower than ideal accuracy rates. Given the low accuracy rates of these methods of sex identification, and the lack of sexual dimorphism between the chosen parameters, the current study does not support the use of either method in sex determination.
John Bolte, IV (Advisor)
Amanda Agnew (Committee Member)
72 p.
Anatomy and Physiology
anatomy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Garza, C. R. (2017). Analysis of Frontal and Maxillary Sinus Dimensions by Computed Tomography scans for Sex Determination [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1503234651997034

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Garza, Chelsea. Analysis of Frontal and Maxillary Sinus Dimensions by Computed Tomography scans for Sex Determination. 2017. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1503234651997034.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Garza, Chelsea. "Analysis of Frontal and Maxillary Sinus Dimensions by Computed Tomography scans for Sex Determination." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1503234651997034

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1503234651997034
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.