title: Quantitative skeletal maturation estimation using cone-beam computed tomography-generated cervical vertebral images: a pilot study in 5- to 18-year-old Japanese children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to establish multivariable regression models for the estimation of skeletal maturation status in Japanese boys and girls using the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) assessment method and hand-wrist radiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analyzed sample consisted of hand-wrist radiographs and CBCT images from 47 boys and 57 girls. To quantitatively evaluate the correlation between the skeletal maturation status and measurement ratios, a CBCT-based CVM assessment method was applied to the second, third, and fourth cervical vertebrae. Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis and multivariable regression analysis were used to determine the ratios for each of the cervical vertebrae (p < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four characteristic parameters ((OH2 + PH2)/W2, (OH2 + AH2)/W2, D2, AH3/W3), as independent variables, were used to build the multivariable regression models: for the Japanese boys, the skeletal maturation status according to the CBCT-based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation (QCVM) assessment was 5.90 + 99.11 × AH3/W3 - 14.88 × (OH2 + AH2)/W2 + 13.24 × D2; for the Japanese girls, it was 41.39 + 59.52 × AH3/W3 - 15.88 × (OH2 + PH2)/W2 + 10.93 × D2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CBCT-generated CVM images proved very useful to the definition of the cervical vertebral body and the odontoid process. The newly developed CBCT-based QCVM assessment method showed a high correlation between the derived ratios from the second cervical vertebral body and odontoid process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are high correlations between the skeletal maturation status and the ratios of the second cervical vertebra based on the remnant of dentocentral synchondrosis.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea.
authors: Bo-Ram
authors: BR
authors: Byun
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea. kimyongil@pusan.ac.kr.|Department of Orthodontics, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Gudeokro 137, Seogu, Busan, 626-739, South Korea. kimyongil@pusan.ac.kr.
authors: Yong-Il
authors: YI
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Tetsutaro
authors: T
authors: Yamaguchi
authors: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Koutaro
authors: K
authors: Maki
authors: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
authors: Ching-Chang
authors: CC
authors: Ko
authors: Dental clinic, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, South Korea.
authors: Dea-Seok
authors: DS
authors: Hwang
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea.
authors: Soo-Byung
authors: SB
authors: Park
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea.
authors: Woo-Sung
authors: WS
authors: Son
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D044466:Asian People; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: Cervical vertebra; Dentocentral synchondrosis; Regression model; Skeletal maturation