Development of a simplified new method of bone age estimation using three bones of the hand and wrist

Abstract

Though the Greulich and Pyle(GP) method is easy, inter-observer variability, differential maturation of hand bones in uences ratings. The Tanner-Whitehouse(TW) method is more accurate, but cumbersome.A simpler method combining the above, such that it utilizes fewer bones without affecting accuracy, would be widely used and more applicable in clinical practice.Objectives:1.Devising a simpli ed method utilizing three bones of the hand and wrist for bone age(BA) assessment.2.Testing whether the 3 bone method gives comparable results to standard methods (GP,TW2,TW3) in Indian children.Methods:Developmental stages and corresponding BA for radius, hamate, terminal phalanx (left middle nger) epiphyses combining stages from GP,TW3 atlases were described; BA were rated by two blinded observers. 3 bone method ratings were compared with the same dataset analyzed earlier using GP,TW2,TW3(4 raters).