Orbital and Foramen Magnum Variables for sex determination in Egyptians using computed Tomographic Images

Abstract

Introduction: Sex determination is one of the principle indicators of identity. The skull is the second best part of the skeleton to be used for sex determination after the pelvis. Sex determination from cranial fragments becomes essential especially when only a part of the skull is brought for identification. Aim: The present study was aimed to demonstrate the sexual dimorphism of the orbit and the foramen magnum (FM) in a sample of Egyptian population in order to increase the number of parameters used for identification, and by consequence, the accuracy when these parameters are combined with each other. Subjects and Methods: The present study was done on 300 cranial CT scans of known gender, 168 males and 132 females, with age ranged from 18 to 65 years, who presented to the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Menoufia University for head computed tomography (CT) as indicated in the course of their management for diagnostic purpose from January to October 2019. The data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: The results showed that the orbital height, width and index differences between males and females were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Significant difference was also observed in FM transverse diameter, FM anteroposterior diameter and FM area. Tetragonal shape of FM was the most common in both sexes of the study sample. Conclusion: The present study shows that Foramen magnum and orbital variables can be considered along with the other parameters of the skull for sex determination in forensic analysis.

Foramen Magnum as Dimorphic Tool for Sex Determination in the Egyptian population using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective Study

“…However, in the studies performed by Hosseini et al, Slima et al and Abo El-Atta et al on Iranian and Egyptian populations the FM index had a significant difference between the two sexes. 23,24,27,30 The current study revealed that the mean length and width of FM is males in (36.71, 31.83mm) and (35.11, 30.26mm) (32.18, 27.20mm). 23,24 The mean values for FM length & width in males and females were higher in our study compared to the same measurements in the Indian, English & Turkish populations.…”

“…23,24,27,30 The current study revealed that the mean length and width of FM is males in (36.71, 31.83mm) and (35.11, 30.26mm) (32.18, 27.20mm). 23,24 The mean values for FM length & width in males and females were higher in our study compared to the same measurements in the Indian, English & Turkish populations. However, higher values were recorded by Edwards et al in their study on Swiss population.…”

“…Although some recent studies by Darwish et and Slima & Abdou., 2020 performed FM analysis on the Egyptian population, these studies were done on CT images. 21,22,23,24 Therefore, as far we know that this current study was the first to perform FM measurements using CBCT on Egyptians.…”