Sex Estimation From Sternal Measurements Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

Abstract

We aimed to show the utility and reliability of sternal morphometric analysis for sex estimation.Sex estimation is a very important step in forensic identification. Skeletal surveys are main methods for sex estimation studies. Morphometric analysis of sternum may provide high accuracy rated data in sex discrimination.In this study, morphometric analysis of sternum was evaluated in 1 mm chest computed tomography scans for sex estimation. Four hundred forty 3 subjects (202 female, 241 male, mean age: 44 ± 8.1 [distribution: 30–60 year old]) were included the study. Manubrium length (ML), mesosternum length (2L), Sternebra 1 (S1W), and Sternebra 3 (S3W) width were measured and also sternal index (SI) was calculated. Differences between genders were evaluated by student t-test. Predictive factors of sex were determined by discrimination analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Male sternal measurement values are significantly higher than females (P < 0.001) while SI is significantly low in males (P < 0.001). In discrimination analysis, MSL has high accuracy rate with 80.2% in females and 80.9% in males. MSL also has the best sensitivity (75.9%) and specificity (87.6%) values. Accuracy rates were above 80% in 3 stepwise discrimination analysis for both sexes. Stepwise 1 (ML, MSL, S1W, S3W) has the highest accuracy rate in stepwise discrimination analysis with 86.1% in females and 83.8% in males.Our study showed that morphometric computed tomography analysis of sternum might provide important information for sex estimation.

Gender Identification Based on the Parameters of the Sternum Bone in the Cadavers

“…The researchers reported that measuring sternal indices could be an effective method of gender identification among Japanese bodies; in many cases, it is bet- ter than other predictive factors, like the pelvis bone and skull [17]. Ekizoglu et al conducted a study in Turkey [18]. They concluded that all sternal indices were higher men than women, and the sternal index was lower in men.…”

Sex estimation of the tibia in modern Turkish: A computed tomography study

“…A number of sex estimation studies from the mandible [29], cranium [30], sternum [31], maxillar sinus [32], and femur [33] of the contemporary Turkish population have been published recently. There is one cadaveric study published on the tibia by Kirici and Ozan [ref] which is based on a very small sample (N=55) which makes the results questionable for forensic application.…”

Sex estimation from discriminant function analysis of clavicular and sternal measurements: a forensic anthropological study based on examination of two bones of Northwest Indian subjects

“…The Northwest Indian manubrium was found to be longer than most studies compared, although statistically significant differences were noticed for the Australian and Japanese male sternums measured on CT scans 33,39 , African sternums of the Dart/Pretoria bone collection 30 Portuguese/Spanish sternums of the San Jose and Coimbra collection 37 and South Indian sternums collected from autopsy cases 38 . Turkish manubrium measured on CT scans by Ramadan et al 29 and Ekizoglu et al 36 were found to be significantly longer than this study's sternums in both sexes. Mesosternal and the combined sternal lengths of current study sternums were found to be significantly smaller than most other studies compared 29,30,32,33,[35][36][37]39 .…”

“…Turkish manubrium measured on CT scans by Ramadan et al 29 and Ekizoglu et al 36 were found to be significantly longer than this study's sternums in both sexes. Mesosternal and the combined sternal lengths of current study sternums were found to be significantly smaller than most other studies compared 29,30,32,33,[35][36][37]39 . Radiographic sternal dimensions were found to be significantly higher than those measured on historical or modern autopsy sternum collections.…”

“…Although the sternum finds its suitable place in these studies, the clavicle has remained underrepresented in this endeavour. Either gross bone specimens (clavicle and sternum) collected from autopsied cadavers and some prominent historical bone collections [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][25][26][27][28]31,32,34,37,38 or their radiographs (in the form of X-rays, CT/MRI scans) from living subjects or of skeletonised remains 8,29,33,35,36,39 have been studied for sex estimations in forensic anthropology. The majority of such studies have reported that osteometric features of these two bones are highly sexually dimorphic and population specific, and show secular variations in their shape and size over a period of time.…”