[Computerized tomography of the epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle: an auxiliary method of age determination during adolescence and the 3d decade of life?].
OBJECTIVE
To establish a reference population for the stages of epiphyseal union of the medical clavicle determined by CT.


METHODS
Retrospectively, the thoracic CTs of patients under 30 years of age were reevaluated. Basic conditions were the lack of a bone development disorder and a sufficient assessment of the medial clavicle in a bone window setting. The stages of epiphyseal union were categorized as follows: Stage 1 refers to nonunion without ossification of the epiphysis, Stage 2 to nonunion with a separate and ossified epiphysis, Stage 3 to partial, and Stage 4 to complete union.


RESULTS
Up to now, 279 individuals could be included in the study. Stage 1 was observed till age 16, Stage 2 occurred from ages 13 through 22, Stage 3 was found from ages 16 through 26. Stage 4 was first noted at age 22, and in 100% of the sample at age 27.


CONCLUSIONS
CT is well suitable to determine the stages of epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle. It may become a generally accepted method of age identification during adolescence and the 3rd decade of life. The presented data serve as a reference population at least for white Europeans.
Kreitner
K F
KF
Klinik und Poliklinik für Radiologie, Radiologische Universitätsklinik Bonn.
Schweden
F
F
Schild
H H
HH
Riepert
T
T
Nafe
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed