title: Total body height estimation using sacrum height in Anatolian Caucasians: multidetector computed tomography-based virtual anthropometry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Estimation of total body height is a major step when a subject has to be identified from his/her skeletal structures. In the presence of decomposed skeletons and missing bones, estimation is usually based on regression equation for intact long bones. If these bones are fragmented or missing, alternative structures must be used. In this study, the value of sacrum height (SH) in total body height (TBH) estimation was investigated in a contemporary population of adult Anatolian Caucasians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six men (41.6 ± 14.9 years) and 43 women (41.1 ± 14.2 years) were scanned with 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to obtain high-resolution anthropometric data. SH of midsagittal sections was electronically measured. The technique and methodology were validated on a standard skeletal model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sacrum height was 111.2 ± 12.6 mm (77-138 mm) in men and 104.7 ± 8.2 (89-125 mm) in women. The difference between the two sexes regarding SH was significant (p < 0.0001). SH did not significantly correlate with age in men, whereas the correlation was significant in women (p < 0.03). The correlation between SH and the stature was significant in men (r = 0.427, p < 0.0001) and was insignificant in women. For men the regression equation was [Formula: see text] (r = 0.54, SEE = 56.9, p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sacrum height is not susceptible to sex, or to age in men. In the presence of incomplete male skeletons, SH helps to determine the stature. This study is also one of the initial applications of MDCT in virtual anthropometric research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Inonu University Medical Faculty, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Malatya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakki Muammer
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Karakas
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Celbis
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harma
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alicioglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001827:Body Height; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D044465:White People