Avaliação dos seios maxilares em tomografia computadorizada para identificação humana

The study of the paranasal sinuses is very useful in the identification of charred bodies and in cases of accidents, such as airplane crashes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of anthropometric indices of the maxillary sinuses, relating them to height, body mass, sex and age of the individuals involved in the research. A computed tomography (CT) of the maxilla from 90 patients of both sexes were taken. The weight, height, sex and age of each individual were collected at that same time. After the evaluation, the following measurements were obtained: anteroposterior dimension, height, width and volume of the maxillary sinuses. The measure with the highest sensitivity to identify the male gender was the average volume of the maxillary sinus (64.6%) and 66.7% specificity to predict the female gender, with an accuracy rate of 65.6%. Considering the entire sample, the maxillary sinus measurements showed moderate specificity in predicting individuals with BMI<25 (Between 63.3% and 74.5%), with a maximum accuracy of 60.2%. Sensitivity and specificity values for age estimation by maxillary sinus measurements were less than 60%, with values slightly higher in men than in women.