Virtual Determination of Sex: Metric and Nonmetric Traits of the Adult Pelvis from 3D Computed Tomography Models*,†

Abstract

Examination of the adult os coxae and sacrum is one of the most common methods of sex estimation from bone. Medical imaging, such as computed tomography (CT), provides the opportunity for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the skeleton from clinical scans of known individuals in situ. In this study, a randomly selected subset of abdominopelvic CT-derived models were used to evaluate simple, repeatable metric methods of sex estimation based on a combination of obstetric measurements and the traditionally nonmetric Phenice-derived traits. A four-variable discriminant function for sex estimation was developed based on statistical analyses. Overall, the cross-validated accuracy of this method was 100%, with inter-observer error showing an average of only 2.2%. Comparative analysis was run on the data set using FORDISC 3.0. This study shows that current sex determination standards from the pelvis should be updated to include more in vivo data to increase the accuracy of identification.

Sex Determination Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography of Pelvis Measurements in Adult Egyptian population..

“…This result agrees with those of Decker et al, 2011, whose study was conducted on pelvi-abdominal CT-derived models of patients at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, using the same 20 variables [8]. It also agrees with Djorojevic et al, 2014, who concluded the presence of greatest differences between both sexes in innominate height (IHM) as it reflects the overall size of the body and it is it is generally higher in men [4].…”

“…It shows 100% overall accuracy, with 100% sensitivity for male identification and 100% specificity for female identification. This result is typically in agreement with those of Decker et al, 2011 [8].…”

“…These variables were [8]: 1. Anterior breadth of the sacrum: Maximum transverse projection of the sacrum at the anterior projection of the auricular surface.…”

Accuracy and reliability of measurements obtained from computed tomography 3D volume rendered images

“…For the current study, the authors chose to validate a retrospective data source. The slice thickness in the current research was smaller or comparable (0.625 mm and 1.25 mm) to the majority of recent publications (0.75 mm to 1.25 mm) that investigated the accuracy of measurements collected on CT images [2,3,48]. However, a smaller slice thickness should be considered if designing a prospective study.…”

A new computer-tomography-based method of sex estimation: Development of Turkish population-specific standards

“…To date, however, few authors have applied CT scan in the field of anthropometry to achieve accurate standards measurements in vivo using femur [10].…”