Evaluation of dimensional relationship of two anatomic skull structures and maxillary canines in determination of sexual dimorphism accuracy on CBCT images

Abstract

Introduction Accurate gender detection is a key step in forensic identity. Methods based on anthropology and skull analysis using radiology can be helpful to determine gender with high accuracy. Considering the characteristic features of the teeth and their high resistant to post-mortem degradation, uniqueness of the frontal sinus in individuals and the remarkable characteristics of the foramen magnum, including the protected anatomical position of this structure, this research aims to investigate and determine the gender according to these three landmarks and the integration of the relevant results. This study was accomplished using CBCT tool in Iranian society. Methods In this descriptive-analytical study, 138 CBCT images of patients referred to the radiology department of the Faculty of Dentistry were used, and gender was determined by examining three anatomical landmarks, which included measuring the circumference of maxillary canine teeth, frontal sinus, and foramen magnum in an Iranian population. Logistic regression was used to predict gender using the obtained data. P value<0.05 is considered to be statistically significant. Findings The results showed that the amount of circumference in all three landmarks was significantly larger in men than in women, and teeth, frontal sinus and foramen magnum have correct gender prediction in order of 95%, 86% and 94%. (P value<0.05) Also, integration of the results of three landmarks increases the prediction accuracy to 100%. (P value<0.05)

Conclusion Using the circumference of these three landmarks can be helpful in determining the gender in forensic medicine and integration of the results can predict gender with very high reliability.