Fourth lumbar vertebral parameters in predicting the gender, height and age in Iranian population

Introduction: Lumbar vertebral dimensions can be considered as a criterion to diagnose unidentified individuals with severe burning or corpses. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender, age, and height using the parameters of fourth lumbar vertebral (L4). Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 106 volunteers. Lumbar diameters of L4 were measured in the two sagittal and horizontal sections by three-dimensional CT scan with reconstruction and volume rendering. The measured parameters were Upper end plate depts (EPD); Upper end plate widths (EPW); Anterior height of vertebral body (VBH); Foramen diameter (depts.) (FDS); Foramen diameter (widths) (FDC); Pedicle height (PH); Pedicle widths (PW); Articular process height (APH); Maximum distance between (ADM); Transverse process distance (TDM); Spinal process height (SPH); Spinal process lengths (SPL); and Vertebral lengths (VL). These parameters were compared. The relationship of each parameter was evaluated with age, height and gender. Results: Totally, the mean parameters of L4 was higher in men compared to women, but this difference was not significant in FDS, APHI, and SPL. In the study of the correlation of diameters with age, only EPD and SPL parameters were significant, but in the linear regression model to predict age, only the FDS index showed a significant relationship. All parameters except APHS, APHI, SPL, and VL showed a significant and positive correlation with height. But in the linear regression model to predict height, only a significant relationship was reported for EPD. Conclusion: It was shown that the parameters of the fourth lumbar vertebra can be helpful to determine the age, height, and gender. © 2021 The Author