Sex estimation by maxillary sinus using computed tomography: a systematic review

Authors

  • Maille Ferreira Nunes Rocha USP – University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Medical School.
  • Julia Gabriela Dietrichkeit Pereira USP – University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Medical School.
  • Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva USP – University of São Paulo, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto

Keywords:

Maxillary sinus, Forensic dentistry, Sex determination analysis

Abstract

Sex estimation is an important stage of identification, and when primary methods cannot be applied, Forensic Anthropology becomes an important auxiliary method of identification. The maxillary sinus may remain intact even if the skull is severely damaged, becoming useful at this time. The objective of this study was to verify the effectiveness of maxillary sinus measurements as a technique for sex estimation. Articles published in the last ten years were searched using the databases Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane, including those who used computed tomography (CT) procedure to perform maxillary sinus measurements with the purpose of sex estimation. Studies that used radiographs for measurements and those that did not inform the analyzed population were excluded. The selected articles were evaluated for methodological quality according to the indication of the objective; the studied population; the inclusion and exclusion criteria; the parameters for obtaining the CT image; the measures used; the bias discussion; and the ethical authorization. From the 45 articles found, 17 were included. The populations studied included Indians, Iraqis, Iranians, Egyptians, Brazilians, French and Turkish. Height, width, length and volume of the maxillary sinus were among the measures applied. It was concluded that the measurement of the maxillary sinus can be considered an effective method of sex estimation, and height is the best discriminant for the study of sexual dimorphism.

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Published

2021-04-27

How to Cite

Rocha, M. F. N., Pereira, J. G. D., & da Silva, R. H. A. (2021). Sex estimation by maxillary sinus using computed tomography: a systematic review. The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology - JFOS, 39(1), 35: 44. Retrieved from https://ojs.iofos.eu/index.php/Journal/article/view/1221