Multislice computed tomography of the first rib: a useful technique for bone age assessment.
Macroscopic study of the first rib has been described by Kunos et al. as an efficient method of age estimation. We retrospectively reviewed a test sample of 160 first right ribs obtained from multislice computed tomography (MSCT) clinical investigations of living individuals aged 15-30 years old. Based on the descriptions of Kunos et al., we analyzed the morphological appearance of the sternal end of the first rib on two- and three-dimensional MSCT reconstructions and defined changes in appearance in stages (from 2 to 5). We also studied the calcification and ossification of the costal cartilage as an independent feature. By statistical analysis (ANOVA), we determined for each gender the correlation between the estimated stage of the costal face, the appearance of the costal cartilage, and the documented age of the subjects. We demonstrated that MSCT of the first rib appears to be an efficient noninvasive modality for bone age estimation.
Service de Radiologie Générale, Hôpital de Rangueil, 1 avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, TSA 50032, 31059 Toulouse Cedex 9, France. moskovitchguillaume@free.fr
Guillaume
G
Moskovitch
Fabrice
F
Dedouit
José
J
Braga
Daniel
D
Rougé
Hervé
H
Rousseau
Norbert
N
Telmon
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002356:Cartilage / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012272:Ribs / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*