Comparative study of the reliability of frontal and maxillary sinuses in sex identification using multidetector computed tomography among Egyptians

Background: Sex determination of unidentified human remains is a crucial part of forensic medicine, as it is not always possible to obtain whole intact skeleton for analysis. Objective: to assess the reliability of frontal and maxillary sinuses measurements for the identification of sex using Multidetector CT (MDCT) images in Egyptian sample. Subjects and methods: The study was carried out on 100 individuals (50 males and 50 females) aged 21-57 years. Eight frontal and maxillary sinuses measurements were assessed using MDCT scanning. The eight variables were subjected to statistical analysis, and sex was detected using the significant measurements in the discriminant functional analysis. Results: The findings showed significant differences between males and females regarding the right and left cephalo-caudal measurements, and the size and transverse measurements of the left maxillary sinus (p<0.5). All measurements in frontal sinuses were found to be significantly different between both sexes. The highest accuracy rate for sex determination was found by using transverse measurement of left maxillary sinuses in male; and size of the left frontal sinuses in female (68%, 80%, respectively). The study depicted that the overall correct predictive accuracy was 80% in males and 88 % in females using the measurements of the maxillary sinuses. The frontal sinuses showed the best overall correct predictive accuracy which was 100% in both males and females. Conclusion: Left transverse, right and left cephalo-caudal measurements, and size of the left maxillary sinuses detected by MDCT and all variables in frontal sinuses have useful potentials to support sex determination among Egyptians.