Evaluation of frontal sinus dimensions and volume according to age and sex

ABSTRACT Sex determination of unknown individuals is important in building an individual's biological profile in forensic anthropology. The skull is considered as one of the reliable skeletal structures for sex determination. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between frontal sinus dimensions and volume with gender and age on computed tomography (CT) A total of 119 individuals (59 males and 60 females) with ages varying from 20 to 78 years were divided into 5 subgroups according to age and gender. The anteroposterior length, width, and height of the frontal sinus were measured on the CT images. Frontal sinus volume was estimated using Cavalieri Principle. The relationship between frontal sinus dimensions and volume with gender and age was statistically analyzed. The dimensions and volume of the left frontal sinus and the anterior-posterior length and volume of the right frontal sinus showed sexual dimorphism (p<0.05). Left frontal sinus measurements had higher sex determination precision. The anteroposterior length of the left frontal sinus had the highest sex determination precision with an accuracy rate of 71.4%, followed by volume (69.7%) and width (65.5%) parameters. All parameters were able to distinguish 76.7% of females and 62.7% of males. When all parameters were used together, the sex classification accuracy rate was 69.7%. The frontal sinus exhibited sexual dimorphism both morphometrically and volumetrically. In addition to the anteroposterior length, width, and height measurements of the frontal sinus on CT images, frontal sinus volume measurements could be used in the sex determination.