The Diagnostic Value of 3-dimensional Computerized Tomography (3D-CT) Scan Indicators of Mandible Bone in Sex Determination of Selected Individuals in Tehran

Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2022 Dec 21:36:160. doi: 10.47176/mjiri.36.160. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Background: Sex determination is one of the most important criteria in cadaver identification so if it determines accurately, half of the population can be statistically excluded. The aim of this study was to determine the sex according to diagnostic factors in a 3D CT scan of the mandible. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected 197 3D CT scans files of mandible available at PACS of hospitals affiliated with the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS). In this study, we measured mandibular or gonial angle (G angle), ramus length, minimum ramus breadth, maximum ramus breadth, coronoid height, mandibular length, bigonial breadth, bicondylar breadth, symphyseal height, symphyseal height to mandibular length ratio, symphyseal height to ramus length ratio, symphyseal height to bicondylar breadth ratio, symphyseal height to bigonial breadth ratio, ramus length to bigonial breadth ratio, ramus length to bicondylar breadth ratio, bigonial breadth to bicondylar breadth ratio and ramus length to mandibular length ratio. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of each indicator. Results: There was a significant difference between males and females in all indicators except symphyseal height to mandibular length ratio, symphyseal height to bicondylar breadth ratio, symphyseal height to bigonial breadth ratio and bigonial breadth to bicondylar breadth ratio. The highest AUC, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were related to ramus length, symphyseal height to ramus length ratio, bicondylar breadth and ramus length respectively. Conclusion: Mandible bone 3D CT scan indicators could be used alone to determine sex in the Iranian population.

Keywords: Forensic Medicine; Imaging; Mandible; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sex Determination by Skeleton; Three-Dimensional.