Exploratory study of MRI of the clavicle's sternal end in the assessment of bone age in chinese adolescents
10.13618/j.issn.1001-5728.2025.01.009
- VernacularTitle:锁骨胸骨端MRI在中国青少年骨龄评估中的探索研究
- Author:
Qinjin LIU
1
;
Yushan LIN
;
Junhong LIU
;
Lirong QIU
;
Yufan GUI
;
Yihui LUO
;
Ting LU
;
Hao DAI
;
Zhao PENG
;
Bo REN
;
Cuiping ZHANG
;
Gang NING
;
Zhenhua DENG
;
Ming YANG
;
Fei FAN
Author Information
1. 川北医学院基础医学研究中心,四川 南充 637000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Forensic clinical medicine;
Bone age assessment;
Sternal end of clavicle;
Epiphysis development;
MRI;
18 years of age
- From:
Chinese Journal of Forensic Medicine
2025;40(1):49-55
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the value of MRI of the sternal end of clavicle in bone age assessment in Chinese population,especially its applicability in the determination of criminal responsible age.Methods A total of 431 patients aged from 10.00 to 29.99 years with neck or chest MRI were retrospectively collected.According to the Schmeling grading method,the epiphyseal development of the clavicle MRI was divided into five grades.The consistency of methods was evaluated.The correlation and general descriptive analysis between MRI grades and age was analyzed.The sex difference was analyzed.Curve fitting was used to establish a nonlinear model between age and grades.Results The grades of clavicle MRI showed a significant age-related trend(Figure 2),and the correlation was 0.861(0.887 in males and 0.840 in females).Except for grade 1,there was no significant difference between males and females in other grades.The minimum age of male grade 3 was greater than 14 years old,and the minimum age of female grade 3 was greater than 16 years old.The minimum age in grade 4 and grade 5 was over 18 years old in both sexes.The best curve fitting model was cubic model for both sexes(R2=0.805 for men and 0.722 for women).Conclusion Clavicle MRI can be used for the assessment of bone age in Chinese population.Complete epiphyseal plate closure can be used as a reliable indicator for the determination of age at 18 years old,and it is expected to achieve radiation-free forensic bone age assessment.
