title: Estimation of sex by 3D CT measurements of the foramen magnum.
abstract: The purpose of this prospective study is to investigate the value and accuracy of the measurements of the foramen magnum (FM) by using three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT). Cases were randomly selected among 100 patients (48 males, 52 females) who had temporal CT in the Radiology Department. Seven measurements of the foramen magnum on 3D images, modified from the nine lines previously defined by Giles and Elliot were made. Using Fisher's linear discriminant functions test, the length and width of right condyle and width of FM diameters were found to be statistically different in each sex (p < 0.001) with 81% accuracy. To our best knowledge, this is the first report studying 3DCT measurements of FM, resulting with a sex determination accuracy rate of 81%. CT/3DCT can be reliably used in further investigations to provide basis for anthropometric and forensic issues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. uysalselma@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gokharman
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kacar
authors.forename: Işil
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tuncbilek
authors.forename: Uğur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kosa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D005539:Foramen Magnum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed