Sex estimation by volumetric evaluation of the maxillary canine using cone-beam computed tomographic images.

BACKGROUND: Teeth can be a reasonable part of sex estimation in case of being the single evidence available or in doubt although they are not as accurate as bones in sex estimation. The size of teeth is greater in males than in females. In this study, it was aimed to determine cut-off values of the tooth volume (TV) and root volume (RV) of the maxillary canines and to evaluate the validity of the method for discriminating between males and females. METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 250 individuals aged 18 to 63 years with equal age and sex distribution were assessed retrospectively. The sample divided into reference set including 168 images of 84 females and 84 males and validation set including 82 images of 48 females and 34 males. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and Youden's index were used to determine cut-off values of the volumetric measurements and to test the discriminative performance of the method. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off values of TV ≥ 581 mm3 and RV ≥ 334 mm3 for estimating sex were established from the reference set. The sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and accuracy (Ac) were 0.77 for TV ≥ 581 mm3 while they were 0.82, 0.77, and 0.79 for RV ≥ 334 mm3. When we tested the previously derived cut-off values of TV of the maxillary canine, the Se, Sp, and Ac were found to be respectively 0.71, 0.90, and 0.82 for TV ≥ 619 mm3 and 0.97, 0.27, and 0.56 for TV ≥ 510 / 460 mm3 (right/left). CONCLUSIONS: The identified cut-off values of TV and RV of the maxillary canines can be used to estimate sex with moderate accuracy when the only evidence available is teeth or in case of doubt. The method's applicability should be assessed for different populations.

Retrospective Assessment of the Anatomy and Dimensions of Nasopalatine Canal with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the anatomy and morphology of the nasopalatine canal in axial, sagittal, and coronal sections with cone-beam computed tomography and to appraise the effect of gender, age, and dental status on the nasopalatine canal. Material and Methods: Overall 1000 patients with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were analysed retrospectively. The morphology of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) was classified according to sections. Its sizes were measured, and variations were evaluated. The variables obtained were statistically analysed. Results: It was observed that the most common NPC shape was the cylindrical type (47.1%) in sagittal sections, and the C-shaped canal (51.1%) in coronal sections. In the axial section, two Stenson foramen (45.2%) were observed most frequently, and the most common form was found as oval (60.7%). In sagittal sections, statistically significant differences were obtained between all morphometric measurements and shapes of the NPC except the angle of the canal. It was found that all morphometric measurements in sagittal and coronal sections were higher in men. Also, it was found that the NPC angle and NPC length decreased with tooth loss. Conclusions: The nasopalatine canal shows many variations, and its dimensions differ according to gender, age, and dental status. For this reason, before the surgical procedures are applied to the maxilla, it should be evaluated radiologically to prevent complications.

Radiological Evaluation of Olfactory Fossa with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the morphology of the olfactory fossa in the Turkish population using cone-beam computed tomography according to Keros classification and to investigate the effect of age, gender and nasal septum deviation on the olfactory fossa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Olfactory fossa (OF) were analysed in coronal sections on cone-beam computed tomography images of 385 individuals. Nasal floor (NF), medial ethmoid roof point (MERP), cribriform plate (CP) heights, CP depth and width, OF width, lateral lamella-cribriform plate angle (LLCPA), and nasal septum deviation angle (NSDA) were measured. Keros and Gera classifications were made according to the measurements. RESULTS: According to the Keros classification, 137 of 770 OFs were type I (17.8%), 554 (71.9%) were type II, and 79 (10.3%) were type III. The most common combination was Keros type II and Gera type II (45.6%). There was a positive correlation between CP depth and LLCP angle, NF, MERP and CP heights (P ≤ 0.05). NF, MERP, and CP heights, CP depth and LLCP angle were statistically significant differences according to Keros classification (P ≤ 0.05). Only the right LLCP angle showed a statistically significant difference according to the NSD sides (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that the lateral lamella-cribriform plate angle increases as the cribriform plate depth increases. This result suggests that it may moderate the risk during endoscopic sinus surgery. Also, according to the nasal septum deviation sides, the dimensions of the olfactory fossa did not change significantly, except for the lateral lamella-cribriform plate angle.