Research Article

Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography

Volume: 18 Number: 2 April 1, 2025
TR EN

Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography

Abstract

Purpose: Identification of decomposed human bodies and bone remains is very important in medicolegal examinations. The cranium has an important place in sex estimation due to its dimorphic features. Recent studies in this field have used radiological methods. The present study aimed to examine sexual dimorphism through morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and Foramen Magnum on Three-Dimensional (3D) Volume Rendering Computed Tomography (CT) images. Material and methods: For this purpose, 3D images were generated after the reconstruction of CT Angiography scans of 87 female and 107 male cases. The length, width, circumference, area, and intracranial volume of the foramen magnum were measured on these 3D images. Results: All measurements except foramen magnum index were greater in males than in females (length of foramen magnum p=0.0001; breadth of foramen magnum p=0.0001; foramen magnum area p=0.0001; foramen magnum circumference p=0.0001). The single best sex-discriminatory measurement was intracranial volume, with an accuracy rate of 84.5%. The best sex-discriminatory parameter in foramen magnum measurements was the length of the foramen magnum, with a rate of 74.2%. Intracranial volume was positively correlated with all parameters in male except for the foramen magnum index (length p=0.000; breadth p=0.000; area p=0.000; circumference p=0.000; index p=0.747). Conclusion: Three-dimensional volume rendering CT images showed sexual dimorphism in the intracranial volume and foramen magnum. The use of radiological methods in forensic investigations may allow for examinations of decomposed human bodies without the need for maceration procedures. It may also help create databases by examining population-specific differences in today's societies.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval: Permission was obtained from Pamukkale University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee for the study (27.10.2020- E-60116787-020-3505). All procedures performed in studies were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forensic Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

October 10, 2024

Publication Date

April 1, 2025

Submission Date

August 19, 2024

Acceptance Date

October 1, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 18 Number: 2

APA
Kurtuluş Dereli, A., Sağtaş, E., Akça, A., Özgül, H. A., Şenol, H., & Acar, K. (2025). Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography. Pamukkale Medical Journal, 18(2), 244-253. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1535671
AMA
1.Kurtuluş Dereli A, Sağtaş E, Akça A, Özgül HA, Şenol H, Acar K. Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography. Pam Med J. 2025;18(2):244-253. doi:10.31362/patd.1535671
Chicago
Kurtuluş Dereli, Ayşe, Ergin Sağtaş, Alper Akça, Hakan Abdullah Özgül, Hande Şenol, and Kemalettin Acar. 2025. “Sex Estimation by Morphometric Analysis of the Intracranial Volume and Foramen Magnum on Three-Dimensional Volume Rendering Computed Tomography”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18 (2): 244-53. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1535671.
EndNote
Kurtuluş Dereli A, Sağtaş E, Akça A, Özgül HA, Şenol H, Acar K (April 1, 2025) Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18 2 244–253.
IEEE
[1]A. Kurtuluş Dereli, E. Sağtaş, A. Akça, H. A. Özgül, H. Şenol, and K. Acar, “Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography”, Pam Med J, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 244–253, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.31362/patd.1535671.
ISNAD
Kurtuluş Dereli, Ayşe - Sağtaş, Ergin - Akça, Alper - Özgül, Hakan Abdullah - Şenol, Hande - Acar, Kemalettin. “Sex Estimation by Morphometric Analysis of the Intracranial Volume and Foramen Magnum on Three-Dimensional Volume Rendering Computed Tomography”. Pamukkale Medical Journal 18/2 (April 1, 2025): 244-253. https://doi.org/10.31362/patd.1535671.
JAMA
1.Kurtuluş Dereli A, Sağtaş E, Akça A, Özgül HA, Şenol H, Acar K. Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography. Pam Med J. 2025;18:244–253.
MLA
Kurtuluş Dereli, Ayşe, et al. “Sex Estimation by Morphometric Analysis of the Intracranial Volume and Foramen Magnum on Three-Dimensional Volume Rendering Computed Tomography”. Pamukkale Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 2, Apr. 2025, pp. 244-53, doi:10.31362/patd.1535671.
Vancouver
1.Ayşe Kurtuluş Dereli, Ergin Sağtaş, Alper Akça, Hakan Abdullah Özgül, Hande Şenol, Kemalettin Acar. Sex estimation by morphometric analysis of the intracranial volume and foramen magnum on three-dimensional volume rendering computed tomography. Pam Med J. 2025 Apr. 1;18(2):244-53. doi:10.31362/patd.1535671

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