Year : 2016

Volume : Volume 6

Issue : Issue 2s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Amit Byatnal
amitbyatnal@gmail.com

Abstract

Aim:  The present research was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the foramen magnum (FM) in gender determination through the use of reconstructed helical CT images. Materials and Methods: 250 patients (125 males and 125 females) with the age range of 18-75 years were selected for this study. FM sagittal diameter, transverse diameter, area and circumference were measured from the CT scan images and data were subjected to statistical analysis. Chi square test and unpaired t test was used for the comparison of the different shapes and diameters between the genders. Results: Mean sagittal diameter in males was 35.68 and in females was 32.29 and the mean transverse diameter in the males was 27.92 and in  females was 26.88. The mean dimensions of foramen magnum were higher in males (p<0.05). However, the different shapes of foramen magnum did not show any statistical significance. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the reconstructed CT image can provide valuable measurements for the FM and could be used for sexing when other methods are inconclusive.

Keywords: Foramen Magnum, Forensic anthropology, Computed Tomography, Sex determination.