Possible Age and Sex Dependency of Costal Cartilage Calcification Degree Investigated by Computed Tomography: First Costal Cartilage Calcification is of Significance

Authors: Ghorbanlou M* and Moradi F

DOI: 10.23880/ijfsc-16000257

Volume 7, Issue 2

Abstract

Introduction: This study provides the costal cartilage calcification degree (CCCD) with more focus on first costal cartilage calcification (FCCC) in different sexes and age groups in an Iranian population. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study including 400 chest computed tomography (CT) scans of the participants aging from 20 to 89 years old, from 2020 to 2021. The chest CT scans were categorized based on two factors of sex (n= 400; male and female), and age (n: 400; <30 years and >30 years). Degree of calcification was categorized into five groups including: 1 (<5%), 2 (5-25%), 3 (25-50%), 4 (50-75%), and 5 (75-100%). And FCCC was investigated meticulously by categorizing it into three groups including: 1 (complete fusion with sternum), 2 (partial fusion with sternum), and 3 (partial calcification). Results: Age-based analysis without considering sex demonstrated that <5% calcification (CCCD=1) is higher in age group <30 (61.9%) than >30 years (15.8%) (P= 0.000), and complete fusion (FCCC=1) is higher in age group >30 (72.4%) than <30 years (37.5%) (P= 0.01). Logistic regression results demonstrated no predicting value of CCCD, and FCCC in sex discrimination. But in age discrimination, FCCC can be considered a possible predictor with an overall correct classification of about 88.6%. Conclusion: CCD is more depended upon age than sex, and the pattern in FCCC can be of significant importance in age discrimination. For reliable sex discrimination it is suggested to accompany CCCD with age and patterns of calcification such as marginal, central, and mixed patterns.

Keywords: Calcification; Costal cartilage; Computed tomography; Forensic medicine

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