A Novel Formula Based Model for Predicting Skeletal Maturation in Maharashtra

Abstract

Aim: To develop and validate a reliable, objective method for cervical vertebral bone age (CVBA) estimation using lateral cephalograms in a Maharashtrian population. Methods: Gender-specific formulae for cervical vertebral bone age estimation were derived via stepwise regression using C3/C4 measurements from lateral cephalograms of 1000 participants 1000 participants (500M/500F, 9-20 years). Formulae were validated on an independent sample (100M/100F). Hand-wrist radiographs were assessed using the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 (TW3) method. CVBA, TW3 bone age, and chronological age were compared using ANOVA, Tukey’s test, and Pearson correlation. Result: Gender-specific CVBA formulae were generated. No significant differences were found between CVBA, TW3 bone age, and chronological age for males (P=0.393) or females (P=0.656). High correlations existed between CVBA, TW3 bone age, and chronological age. Conclusion: The derived formulae are valid and reliable for objective assessment of cervical vertebral bone age and skeletal maturation using lateral cephalograms in the studied Maharashtrian population.

Keywords

• bone age
• formula-based model
• objective assessment
• skeletal maturation