Fusion of the Medial Clavicular Epiphysis in the South African and Kenyan Populations

Abstract

Age estimation from clavicular ossification has been studied by many researchers based on the pattern and degree of the epiphyseal union through the use of dry bone specimens, radiographs, CT and MRI. These studies found clavicular ossification as a useful age indicator up to the third decade of life. The study aimed to document any population specific influence on age estimation using fusion processes of the clavicular epiphysis between the South African and Kenyan population groups. To achieve this objective a study of one thousand six hundred and five (n=1605) digital radiographs of South African and Kenyan population groups, aged between 14-30 years, were evaluated. The ossification process of the medial clavicular epiphysis was scored against Schmeling's staging system. Growth variations between the two cohorts were carried out using student t-test analysis to assess for any significant differences between the means and standard deviations of the cohorts. A log linear regression test was also applied to test bilateral asymmetry in the ossification status for the medial epiphysis. The results of the paired linear model indicated a wide gap between chronological age (CA) and estimated age (EA) in patients under 20 years. The regression tests observed no significant difference between the EA of the South African and Kenyan populations. The current study yielded no significant differences in the ossification process of the medial clavicle amongst the Black South African and Kenyan populations when using Schmeling's staging system.

Convolutional neural network of age-related trends digital radiographs of medial clavicle in a Thai population: a preliminary study

“…Because of the characteristic of clavicles: low weight bearing, the longest time to maturate, easy to access, they are considered as the best candidate for accurate age estimation. The statement is correlate with Marera and Satyapal [ 9 ] study which found that estimating age from clavicle yields the most accurate result. However, methods used nowadays mainly rely on observing epiphyseal plate fusion of clavicles which could only predict age of young adult and adolescent.…”

“…The body is markedly affected by force and is composed with different cortical components and properties compared with acromion and sternal end. Accordingly, it is the most frequent (70%–80%) location of fracture [ 9 ].…”

“…According to Marera and Satyapal [ 9 ], age assessment using clavicle epiphyseal plate closure was more precise in males than in females. This correlates with the fact that female is affected from osteoporosis more and faster than male from smaller bone size and the process of estrogen (bone resorption) as the age advanced [ 23 ].…”

Age estimation in the Thai male population using epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle

“…The reasons for the difference, however, is unclear (3,15,18). We hypothesized that these differences may be the result of differences in demographic origins and ethnicities (3,18). For that reason, this study emphasizes that reference values for one population may not be applicable to subjects from different demographic settings and ethnicities just as differences can result from using different evaluation techniques.…”

“…The reasons for the difference, however, is unclear (3,15,18). We hypothesized that these differences may be the result of differences in demographic origins and ethnicities (3,18).…”