Determination of sex using computed tomographic measurement of the orbit dimensions in a sample of Egyptian population.

Abstract

Background: The orbit is an important anatomical landmark, orbital measures are one of the craniofacial factors that, in terms of anthropological and forensic investigations, could be used in determination of sex and ethnicity. Aim & Objective: The present study aimed at measuring and comparing different measurements of orbital apertures between males and females using computed tomography to evaluate the value of orbital aperture measures as a tool in sex determination in a sample of Egyptian population. Methods: A total number of 200 CT scans of adult 100 males and 100 females of Egyptian population ranging in age from 18-68 years were evaluated regarding orbital height (OH), orbital width (OW), orbital index (OI), interorbial distance (IOD) and biorbital distance (BOD). The obtained data were statistically analyzed using an independent t-test. The significance level was set at a threshold of p < 0.05. Results: Significant differences in gender and side were observed in the orbital measurements (p < 0.05). The variable with the highest sensitivity (84%), for sex discrimination, was the biorbital distance (BOD). Conclusions: Significant sexual dimorphism was evident in the orbital dimensions, and the sex prediction accuracy was only fairly high. Consequently, for our population under study, the orbits may serve as an auxiliary method for sex determination in forensic investigations after mass disasters.