[Staging methods of skeletal growth by X-ray in teenagers].
OBJECTIVE
To establish staging criteria for teenager's skeletal growth by examining osteoarticular X-rays.


METHODS
Review publications on skeletal growth staging systems by domestic and overseas authorities. Abided by the staging principles on theory of cartilage epiphyseal growth and X-ray images of skeletal growth, X-ray imaging characteristics were studied through three hundred male and female teenagers epiphyseal growth of both sternal ends of clavicle and the left side of shoulder, elbow, carpal, hip, knee and ankle joints transversally and longitudinally. The subjects were from 11 to 20 years old, selected from Henan, Hainan and Zhejiang province in China. Twenty-four skeletal growth indexes were selected closely related to age.


RESULTS
Based on regular changing characteristics of epiphyseal growth at different joints, 24 skeletal development indexes were divided into 2 to 8 stages. The stage number of different indexes of the single joint were similar. It was shown that the time of different epiphyseal growth in identical joints had isochromism.


CONCLUSIONS
These staging criteria have merits of extensive skeletal growth indexes, and are applicable to wide age range with a strong maneuverability. It provides a favorable fundamental platform for forensic evaluating skeletal age in living subjects in China.
Zhu
Guang-You
GY
Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, PR China, Shanghai 200063, China. zhugy@ssfjd.com.cn
Fan
Li-Hua
LH
Zhang
Guo-Zhen
GZ
Ying
Chong-Liang
CL
Lu
Xiao
X
Xia
Wen-Tao
WT
Cheng
Yi-Bin
YB
Wang
Ya-Hui
YH
Wang
Peng
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D001175:Arthrography; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult