Use of cervical vertebral maturation to determine skeletal age.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method as an indicator of skeletal age in the circumpubertal period by correlating it to the hand-wrist method (HWM).


METHODS
Hand-wrist and lateral cephalometric radiographs of 400 Chinese subjects were randomly selected. Their ages were 10 to 15 years for girls and 12 to 17 years for boys, so they were within the circumpubertal period. Skeletal ages were assessed according to the CVM method and the HWM.


RESULTS
The CVM was significantly correlated with HWM skeletal age (Spearman r = 0.9521 [boys] and 0.9408 [girls]). All patients in cervical vertebral stage 3 of the CVM corresponded to stages MP3-FG or MP3-G (around the peak of the growth spurt) in the HWM.


CONCLUSIONS
The CVM is a valid indicator of skeletal growth during the circumpubertal period, providing information for timing of growth modification.
Wong
Ricky W K
RW
Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. fyoung@hkucc.hku.hk
Alkhal
Hessa A
HA
Rabie
A Bakr M
AB
D000293:Adolescent; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D000367:Age Factors; D001846:Bone Development / Q000502:physiology; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D050278:Finger Phalanges / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D011884:Radius / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D014953:Wrist / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging