A semi-automated method for bone age assessment using cervical vertebral maturation

Abstract

Objective: To propose a semi-automated method for pattern classification to predict individuals' stage of growth based on morphologic characteristics that are described in the modified cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method of Baccetti et al. Materials and Methods: A total of 188 lateral cephalograms were collected, digitized, evaluated manually, and grouped into cervical stages by two expert examiners. Landmarks were located on each image and measured. Three pattern classifiers based on the Naïve Bayes algorithm were built and assessed using a software program. The classifier with the greatest accuracy according to the weighted kappa test was considered best. Results: The classifier showed a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.861 6 0.020. If an adjacent estimated pre-stage or poststage value was taken to be acceptable, the classifier would show a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.992 6 0.019. Conclusion: Results from this study show that the proposed semi-automated pattern classification method can help orthodontists identify the stage of CVM. However, additional studies are needed before this semi-automated classification method for CVM assessment can be implemented in clinical practice. (Angle Orthod. 2012;82:658-662.)

Identification of sex and age for Egyptians using computed tomography of the first lumbar vertebra

“…In addition, many studies (Alhadlaq and Al-Maflehi, 2013; Baccetti et al, 2006Baccetti et al, , 2002Baidas, 2012;Baptista et al, 2012;Choi et al, 2016;Flores-Mir et al, 2006;Franchi et al, 2000;Mito et al, 2003Mito et al, , 2002Uysal et al, 2006) revealed that the correlation for age and vertebral body height (using cervical vertebrae lateral radiography) or vertebral volume (using CT of cervical vertebrae), was strong and positive. However, these studies used different methodologies and were conducted on younger ages below 18 in order to detect maturation of cervical vertebrae as an age determination method in juveniles, which wasn't similar to the current study.…”

Age and Sex Identification Using Multi-slice Computed Tomography of the Last Thoracic Vertebrae of an Egyptian Sample

“…In addition, different authors [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] proved strong positive correlation between age and vertebral body height (anterior, posterior and middle) on lateral radiography of cervical vertebrae or vertebral volume on CT of cervical vertebrae, however, these studies were conducted on young ages <18 years to identify cervical vertebral maturation as a method of age estimation in juveniles which was different from this study.…”

Computer Based Assessment of Cervical Vertebral Maturation Stages Using Digital Lateral Cephalograms

“…The hand-wrist radiograph has been used to assess stage of maturity of a child for a long time. To avoid taking additional radiographs, the cervical vertebral maturation method has become more popular method for assessment of skeletal maturity in recent years ( 3 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 24 ).…”

“…Errors induced from inadequate image segmentation could lead to false CVMI class assessment, therefore we adopted the approach that the second, third and fourth vertebrae contours are marked manually by the doctor. Unlike similar developed application s( 16 , 17 , 18 ), we propose to mark the entire contour instead of just few characteristical points. Thus, the shape features and characteristical points are extracted automatically and are more robust to marking errors.…”

“…The usage of digital radiography has several advantages–reduced radiation, there is no need for use of chemicals in order to make recordings, significantly improved precision of images, the possiblity of computer analysis of images, radiographs and the data analysis can be permanently stored ( 15 ). The usage of digital X-ray imaging in orthodontics has led to the development of several computer applications for assessing the cervical vertebral maturation ( 16 , 17 , 18 ).…”