Application of Software Tool for Sex Determination from Calcification Pattern of Rib Cartilage in Digital Radiographs

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism can be studied by observing calcification pattern of rib cartilage, which is  gender specific and have peculiar changes those occur at various ages. Various studies have been  carried out in past for identifying specific gender from calcification pattern of rib cartilages. Present study  was conducted at GCS Medical College, Hospital & RC, Ahmedabad, comprising of total 2291 digital  radiographs of chest region (1240 males, 1051 females) of subjects of known age ranging from one day  to 92 years. These radiographs were in “jpg format” and observed with “Microsoft Office Picture Manager  2007” by two methods- method I & method-II. Certain technical applications were incorporated in method II to know the accuracy of computer software in interpretation of digital radiographs for gender  determination. After analyzing and applying suitable statistical tests it was concluded that use of computer  software for observing calcification of costal cartilages can yield better accuracy in determination of  gender. To the best of our belief and knowledge such type of study is hardly reported in bio-medical  journals.