Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2019.60.237
Sex estimation of the sternum by automatic image processing of multi-slice computed tomography images in a Croatian population sample: a retrospective study
Ana Bedalov
; Faculty of Science, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Željana Bašić
; University Department for Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Ivan Marelja
; University Department for Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Krešimir Dolić
; Clinical Department for Diagnostic and Intervention Radiology, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia
Krešimir Bukarica
; Clinical Department for Diagnostic and Intervention Radiology, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia
Saša Missoni
; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Mario Šlaus
; Anthropological Center, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
Dragan Primorac
; University Department for Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Šimun Andjelinović
; University Department for Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Ivana Kružić
; University Department for Forensic Sciences, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To determine the sexual dimorphism of the sternum
with standard measurements in a contemporary Croatian
population sample using multi-slice computed tomography
(MSCT) and to compare the data obtained by an automatic
with those obtained by a manual approach.
Methods Five sternal measurements were obtained from
MSCT images of 73 men and 55 women and three sternal
indices were calculated. Custom image analysis software
was developed for automatic segmentation and calculation
of sternal measurements. Measurements of sexual dimorphism
were automatically calculated and compared
with manual measurements. Results All of the sternal measurements exhibited significant
differences between men and women. The discrepancies
between manual and automatic measurements
ranged from 2.8% to 3.6% of the mean average values obtained
with the automatic approach. The most accurate
single-variable discriminant function was sternal body
length (82.8%), the most accurate index was sternal area
(89.1%), and the discriminant function using three variables
was manubrium width, sternal body length, and sternal
body width (90.6%).
Conclusion Sternal measurements are a reliable sex indicator
and can be used in forensic casework. Computer-aided
measurement methods can accelerate sex estimation
and improve its precision and accuracy.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
240034
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2019.
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