Computed tomography assessment of neurocranial structures for sexual dimorphism identification: a meta-analysis.

IF 2.2 3区 医学 Q1 MEDICINE, LEGAL
Esther Carneiro Ribeiro, Paulo Ricardo Martins-Filho, Diego Santiago de Mendonça, Marcela Lima Gurgel, Lucia Helena Soares Cevidanes, Cauby Maia Chaves Junior, Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva, Fábio Wildson Gurgel Costa
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The human neurocranium exhibits significant sexual dimorphism, making it a valuable resource for anthropological studies. This systematic review aggregated and analyzed data from literature on sex differences in neurocranial dimensions as measured by computed tomography (CT). Following registration of the review protocol with PROSPERO (#CRD 42023442451), comprehensive searches were conducted in six databases and gray literature. From an initial pool of 1,499 articles, 14 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed for data extraction, meta-analysis of linear measurements, risk of bias (RoB), and certainty of evidence (GRADE) evaluation. In the meta-analysis (Sample size- 1726 female and 1837 male), the inverse variance method and a random-effects model were employed using Review Manager (version 5.4.1). Statistical heterogeneity was quantified using the I2 coefficient. The studies primarily involved linear measurements between specific cranial landmarks, manually delineated using imaging software. Measurements analyzed included Maximum Cranial Length (G-Op), Cranial Base Length (N-Ba and N-Pfm), Cranial Height (Ba-Br), Frontal Chord (N-Br), Maximum Cranial Breadth (Eu-Eu), Minimum Frontal Breadth (Ft-Ft), Upper Facial Breadth (Fmt-Fmt), and Bimastoid Breadth (Ms-Ms). Results indicated that the mean values were significantly lower in females (p < 0.001), with no differences between the subgroups of dry skulls and living patients. The largest differences between sexes were observed in G-Op [-8.64 (-9.69, -7.59) mm] and N-Pfm [-8.83 mm (-12.75, -4.91)]. Our meta-analysis showed a low risk of bias, and measurements of N-Ba, Ba-Br, N-Br, and Ms-Ms demonstrated high certainty of evidence according to the GRADE approach. This research underscores the reliability of specific neurocranial measurements for sex differentiation in CT scans, with smaller dimensions consistently found in females.

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来源期刊
CiteScore
5.80
自引率
9.50%
发文量
165
审稿时长
1 months
期刊介绍: The International Journal of Legal Medicine aims to improve the scientific resources used in the elucidation of crime and related forensic applications at a high level of evidential proof. The journal offers review articles tracing development in specific areas, with up-to-date analysis; original articles discussing significant recent research results; case reports describing interesting and exceptional examples; population data; letters to the editors; and technical notes, which appear in a section originally created for rapid publication of data in the dynamic field of DNA analysis.
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