Computed tomography-based age estimation of illiac crests calcification in 10-29 year-old individuals

Abstract

Introduction: Estimating the age of the ossification of the iliac crest may help determine the legal age. For this purpose, both anthropological and radiological methods (conventional radiography, ultrasound, Tomography, and MRI) have been used to study different systems. Objectives: The present study aimed to to evaluate the iliac crest apophysis for age estimation through multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in 10- to 29-year-old individuals. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out on 10- to 29-year-old individuals who underwent pelvic CT examinations for different reasons in Imam Khomeini and Golestan hospitals of Ahwaz during 2016–2018. The CT examinations of the iliac crest apophysis of 531 patients (267 females and 264 males) were evaluated based on the Kreitner's four-stage system. Results: According to the Kreitner's four-stage system, the minimum age for both sides of the pelvis at stage 2 for girls and boys was 12 years and 13 years, respectively. However, at stage 3, the minimum age for girls and boys was 15 and 17 years, respectively. Accordingly, stage 4 was first observed in boys at age 17 on both sides of the pelvis. In contrast, it appeared in girls at the age of 20 on the right side. Conclusion: Along with the findings of other studies, the results showed that multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is recommended for iliac crest in retrospective cases (where pelvic CT scans already exist), and it may be considered as a supportive method for age-estimation purposes. Moreover, when CT images are used along with other age estimation methods, they provide physicians with valuable supplementary information.

Machine learning and regression analysis for age estimation from the iliac crest based on computed tomographic explorations in an Indian population

“…Previously undertaken CT-based investigations validate these advantages of computed tomography for age estimation. 2,26,35,37,52,64,69,[84][85][86] Comparative evaluations between computed tomography and plain radiography for iliac crest age estimation, too, have demonstrated that the overall repeatability and accuracy associated with CT supersedes that of X-ray examination. 52,64 Inter-and intra-observer error values computed within the present study demonstrate moderate to strong agreement between and within observers for CT-based iliac crest age estimation.…”

“…12 Within the pelvis, the iliac crest, a secondary ossification centre, displays a relatively longer development period and, thus, presents as a reliable age marker in sub-adults and young adults. 4,[23][24][25] Previously undertaken investigations with the iliac crest have indicated a good correlation between apophyseal ossification/ fusion changes and age, [26][27][28][29] signifying its utility as an age marker. Numerous scoring approaches for iliac crest ossification and fusion have been devised and researched in the past.…”

“…Numerous scoring approaches for iliac crest ossification and fusion have been devised and researched in the past. [2][3][4][5]8,9,26,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] Amongst these methods, Risser scoring constitutes one of the more commonly employed and researched methods. 3,9,22,24,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] However, all such studies utilizing the Risser sign for age estimation reported highly variable findings pertaining to its applicability.…”

“…Age estimation using the iliac crest has often been attempted through gross morphological examination of dry bone samples, 39,40 conventional radiography, 3,4,8,9,22,24,27,33,34,36,38,45,47–51,57,59–61,65,67,68 sonography, 23,31,53,54,56 magnetic resonance imaging, 5 and computed tomography. 2,26,35,37,52,64,69 Digital visualization tools, such as the latter, are particularly advantageous for testing and redefining conventionally derived age estimation methods, particularly, in the absence of large-scale, population-specific, contemporary skeletal repositories. Visualization modalities such as CT have an added advantage as they help eliminate interfering tissue remnants which often impede the appreciation of morphological features during gross and/ or radiological examination.…”

“…A major portion of previously conducted investigations with the iliac crest utilized descriptive statistics for age estimation. 2–5,8,9,23,26,27,31,33–36,45,69,70 While this statistical modality permits a simple and straightforward evaluation, it suffers from pertinent issues of age mimicry. 71 On the other hand, a handful of observational studies employed regression analysis 37,38,68 and Bayesian inference 37,64 for the age estimation from the iliac crest.…”