Adult Stature Estimation from Radiographic Metatarsal Length in a Contemporary Korean Population.

The ability to estimate stature can be important in the identification of skeletal remains. This study aims to develop a Korean-specific equation predicting stature using radiographic measurements in the contemporary Korean population. 200 healthy Korean adults, including 102 males and 98 females, were randomly selected (age, range 20-86 years). The first and second metatarsals of the foot were measured by a standing X-ray using a digital medical image viewer. The result showed a statistically significant correlation between metatarsal length and stature in Korean populations (male, R = 0.46, p < 0.001; female, R = 0.454, p < 0.001). Values of correlation coefficients (R) of the equations were 0.431 to 0.477. Compared to equations derived from other races, the Korean-specific equation showed significantly lower error values for estimating the actual height of Koreans through cross-validation. In conclusion, this study is the first to propose a Korean-specific regression formula for estimating stature using metatarsal length and a verified formula for precise application to the Korean population. However, given the relatively low correlation coefficient, the stature estimation formula derived from this study can be utilized when other bones that allow more accurate stature estimation are not available.

A Cadaveric Study of the Distal Biceps Femoris Muscle in relation to the Normal and Variant Course of the Common Peroneal Nerve: A Possible Cause of Common Peroneal Entrapment Neuropathy.

The most frequent mononeuropathy in the lower extremity has been reported as the common peroneal nerve entrapment neuropathy (CPNe) around the head and neck of the fibula, although the mechanism of the neuropathy in this area cannot be fully explained. Therefore, the aim of this cadaveric study was to evaluate the relationship between morphologic variations of the distal biceps femoris muscle (BFM) and the course of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) and to investigate the incidence and morphological characteristics of anatomical variations in the BFM associated with CPNe. The popliteal region and the thigh were dissected in 115 formalin-fixed lower limbs. We evaluated consensus for (1) normal anatomy of the distal BFM, (2) anatomic variations of this muscle, and (3) the relationship of the muscle to the CPN. Measurements of the distal extents of the short and long heads of the BFM from insertion (fibular head) were performed. Two anatomic patterns were seen. First, in 93 knees (80.8%), the CPN ran obliquely along the lateral side of the BFM and then superficial to the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Second, in 22 cases (19.2%), the CPN coursed within a tunnel between the biceps femoris and lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle (LGCM). There was a positive correlation between the distal extents of the short heads of the biceps femoris muscle (SHBFM) and the presence of the tunnel. The "popliteal intermuscular tunnel" in which the CPN travels can be produced between the more distal extension variant of the SHBFM and the LGCM. This anatomical variation of BFM may have a clinical significance as an entrapment area of the CPN in the patients in which the mechanism of CPNe around the fibula head and neck is not understood.