Evaluation of the fourth ventricles of adults in North-eastern Nigerians using computerize tomographic images

Knowledge of anatomy of the fourth ventricle and the structures around it, is significant in sex determination, surgical operations and brain disorders. Accurate measurements of the fourth ventricle are needful in evaluating brain disorders and in decision making before any neurosurgical procedures. Objective: To determine the dimensions of the apparently normal fourth ventricles and compare the parameters among males and females with a view to providing baseline data. Method: Retrospective study was carried out on brain CT images. Six hundred (600) brain CT images of adult North-eastern Nigerians (350 males and 250 females) were measured. The age range for the individuals was 18-75years. The brain CT images for males and females were classified separately into six (6) age groups spanned eight (8) years interval. Measurements were done using Dicomworks software. The software provides a meter rule with which measurements were done, based on a standard method. Greatest height of fourth ventricle was measured from the roof and floor of the fourth ventricle while the width measured at the midpoint of the ventricle. Results: The height of the fourth ventricle was larger in males (9.95 mm ± 1.04) as compared to females (8.38 mm ± 1.69). The width of the fourth ventricle was also observed to be greater in males (12.95 mm ±1.29) than in females (11.67 mm ±1.45). Thus, the difference between the lengths and widths of the fourth ventricles were higher and statistically significant (p<0.05) among males and females. Conclusion: The present study concludes that the parameters of the 4th ventricle measured were sexually dimorphic and can be used in sex determination in the sample population. This study also has provided reference point for the normal values of the length and width of the fourth ventricle in male and female Nigerians

Sex differences in occipital condyles in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria using computed tomographic scan images

Measurements of the occipital condyle (OC) have been reported to be used in sex identification. Hence, the present study attempts to find out whether the OC is sexually dimorphic, and whether morphometric analysis of the same, using computed tomography (CT) scan images, could be a useful tool in sex determination in the sample population. Method: The sample population comprised of basicranial CT images of 110 patients (60 males and 50 females) aged 18–65 years obtained from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno StateNigeria. The parameters measured were the right and left antero-posterior and mid-transverse distances of the OC. Results: Males have significantly higher mean values for all the OC parameters measured (p<0.001). The success rate for sex identification using Baudoin condylar index (BCI) was 52.92% for males and 46.67% for females. On deploying demarking points (DPs) for sex determination, however, only 13 (21.67%) out of the 60 males were identified using right antero-posterior distance of the OC and 7 (11.67%) using right mid-transverse distance. Using right mid-transverse distance, 8 (16%) of the 50 females were identified and 6 (12%) of the 50 females were identified using left mid-transverse distance. Conclusion: This study showed that the OC is sexually dimorphic and can be used in sex determination in the sample population. Although the occipital condyles can be used in sex estimation, they remain, however, inadequate for forensic application especially when demarking points and Baudoin condylar index are the methods to be deployed for this purpose

Morphometric evaluation of the foramen magnum using computed tomographic images in neuropsychiatric hospital maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

The foramen magnum (FM) is an important landmark of the skull base. It is of particular interest in anthropology, anatomy, surgery and other medical fields because of its shape, relations and the structures it transmits. Knowledge of the anatomy of the FM and the structures around it is significant in sex determination and in surgical operations involving the basic ranium. The present study was aimed at the analysis of the antero-posterior diameter (APD), mid-transverse diameter (MTD), and the different shapes of the FM in the sample population. Method: The sample population for the present study which comprised of basicranial Computed Tomographic (CT) images of 110 patients (60 males and 50 females) with an average age of 18-65 years were obtained from the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State-Nigeria. Results: Males subjects showed higher mean value of APD (34.80 mm) compared to females (30.50 mm) and the differences observed was statistically significant at p<0.001. Similarly, males showed higher mean value of MTD of FM (31.60 mm) when compared to females (29.20 mm) and the differences observed was statistically significant at p<0.001. The study showed oval-shaped foramen magnum as most common (63% in males and 64% in females). The present study also observed the spherical and round shapes which constituted 22% and 25% in male and female respectively, in the sampled population. Pea-shaped and kite-shaped Foramen magnum was 3.3% occurrence in males and zero percent in females. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that, measurements of for amenmagnum is a valuable tool and is suitable for sex identification when other methods are not applicable