Skeletal age assessment from elbow radiographs. Review of the literature

Skeletal age is important to evaluate remaining growth. In 50% of normal children and adolescents, skeletal age does not differ from chronological age. During puberty, skeletal age is an important tool when performing a lower limb epiphysiodesis or when treating (conservatively or surgically) patients with spinal deformities. Skeletal age alone is not enough and should be assessed together with other clinical and radiological findings such as standing and sitting heights, Risser sign, Tanner stages and annual growth rate. Puberty starts at 11 years of skeletal age and ends at 13 years of skeletal age in girls; in boys, puberty starts two years later (13 years of skeletal age) and then ends at a skeletal age of 15. Most current clinical and radiographic markers do not help paediatric orthopaedic surgeons to clearly distinguish maturity levels prior to Risser I. Sauvegrain et al. developed a method to assess skeletal age by using elbow radiographs (AP and lateral projections). Between 11 and 13 years of skeletal age in girls and between 13 and 15 years of skeletal age in boys, the olecranon apophysis is characterised by a clear morphological development. This method is a reliable tool to assess skeletal age during puberty because significant morphological changes in the elbow happen every six months.     

Skeletal age determination from the elbow during pubertal growth

The Sauvegrain et al. method of assessing skeletal age from elbow radiographs is useful during the 2 years of the pubertal growth spurt: between 11 and 13 years in girls and between 13 and 15 years in boys. This method uses four ossification centers of the elbow: lateral condyle, trochlea, olecranon apophysis, and proximal radial epiphysis. It is based on a 27-point scoring system. The scores of these structures are summed, a total score is determined, and a graph is then used to determine the skeletal age. This simple, reliable, and reproducible method complements the Greulich and Pyle atlas, which does not allow assessment of skeletal age in 6-month intervals during the phase of accelerating growth velocity. In clinical practice, maturity can best be evaluated by associating skeletal age, annual growth rate, and Tanner stages. Skeletal age assessment from the elbow is useful to plan the timing of epiphysiodesis in limb length inequality or to evaluate the progression risk of idiopathic scoliosis.     

Accuracy of the Sauvegrain method in determining skeletal age during puberty

BACKGROUND: The method of Sauvegrain et al. for the assessment of skeletal age from radiographs of the elbow is useful during the two years of the pubertal growth spurt. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of the method and its value in pediatric orthopaedics. METHODS: The Sauvegrain method uses four anatomical landmarks of the elbow: the lateral condyle, trochlea, olecranon apophysis, and proximal radial epiphysis. It is based on a 27-point scoring system. The scores for these structures are summed, and a total score is determined. A graph is then used to determine the skeletal age. The method was evaluated by three independent observers who used it to assess skeletal age on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the left elbow of sixty boys and sixty girls and compared the results with assessments made with use of the Greulich and Pyle atlas on posteroanterior radiographs of the left hand and wrist. Skeletal age determinations were performed twice by each observer at a four-week interval. RESULTS: The skeletal age determination from radiographs of the elbow was more precise because a clear semiannual age determination was possible. On the basis of the rating by the observers, the Sauvegrain method presented excellent interobserver correlation (r = 0.93) and excellent reproducibility (r = 0.96). The correlation between the methods of Sauvegrain et al. and Greulich and Pyle was good (r = 0.85). Nevertheless, certain elbow growth centers showed an intermediate developmental morphology, which failed to correspond to the score described by Sauvegrain et al. This led to errors in the interpretation of data. We suggest an intermediate score for these cases, and we modified the original graph to make it more accurate. CONCLUSIONS: The modified method of Sauvegrain et al. is simple, reliable, and reproducible, and it complements the Greulich and Pyle atlas. In clinical practice, maturity can best be evaluated by associating skeletal age, annual growth rate, and secondary sexual characteristics. Therefore, this method is useful when major decisions such as the timing of epiphysiodesis or spinal arthrodesis are necessary during puberty.     

Lower-limb growth: how predictable are predictions?

Purpose  The purpose of this review is to clarify the different methods of predictions for growth of the lower limb and to propose a simplified method to calculate the final limb deficit and the correct timing of epiphysiodesis. Background  Lower-limb growth is characterized by four different periods: antenatal growth (exponential); birth to 5 years (rapid growth); 5 years to puberty (stable growth); and puberty, which is the final growth spurt characterized by a rapid acceleration phase lasting 1 year followed by a more gradual deceleration phase lasting 1.5 years. The younger the child, the less precise is the prediction. Repeating measurements can increase the accuracy of predictions and those calculated at the beginning of puberty are the most accurate. The challenge is to reduce the margin of uncertainty. Confrontation of the different parameters—bone age, Tanner signs, annual growth velocity of the standing height, sub-ischial length and sitting height—is the most accurate method. Charts and diagrams are only models and templates. There are many mathematical equations in the literature; we must be able to step back from these rigid calculations because they are a false guarantee. The dynamic of growth needs a flexible approach. There are, however, some rules of thumb that may be helpful for different clinical scenarios. Calculation of limb length discrepancy  For congenital malformations, at birth the limb length discrepancy must be multiplied by 5 to give the final limb length discrepancy. Multiple by 3 at 1 year of age; by 2 at 3 years in girls and 4 years in boys; by 1.5 at 7 years in girls and boys, by 1.2 at 9 years in girls and 11 years in boys and by 1.1 at the onset of puberty (11 years bone age for girls and 13 years bone age for boys). Timing of epiphysiodesis  For the timing of epiphysiodesis, several simple principles must be observed to reduce the margin of error; strict and repeated measurements, rigorous analysis of the data obtained, perfect evaluation of bone age with elbow plus hand radiographs and confirmation with Tanner signs. The decision should always be taken at the beginning of puberty. A simple rule is that, at the beginning of puberty, there is an average of 5 cm growth remaining at the knee. There are four common different scenarios: (1) A 5-cm discrepancy—epiphysiodesis of both femur and tibia at the beginning of puberty (11 years bone age girls and 13 years in boys). (2) A 4-cm discrepancy—epiphysiodesis of femur and tibia 6 months after the onset of puberty (11 years 6 months bone age girls, 13 years 6 months bone age boys, tri-radiate cartilage open). (3) A 3-cm discrepancy—epiphysiodesis of femur only at the start of puberty, (skeletal age of 11 years in girls and 13 years in boys). (4) A 2-cm discrepancy—epiphysiodesis of femur only, 1 year after the start of puberty (12 years bone age girls and 14 years in boys).     

女性青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患者生长高峰预测因素的组织学评价

目的通过组织学研究来评价青少年特发性脊柱侧凸女性患者生长高峰预测因素的价值。方法收集青少年特发性脊柱侧凸女性患者的髂软骨标本,垂直钙化层进行切片染色,并对其增殖活性进行分级。将患者年龄、月经、腕骨骨龄、肘关节骨龄、指骨骨龄及Risser征进行分级,比较各级间患者髂软骨增殖活性的差异。结果共收集53例患者骨标本,平均年龄14．0岁。通过组织学分析发现年龄〉13．0岁、月经来潮、腕骨骨龄〉14．0岁及Risser征Ⅲ级的患者增殖活性下降。结论年龄〉13．0岁、月经来潮、腕骨骨龄〉14．0及Risser征Ⅲ级均可用于判定青春期生长高峰结束;年龄11．0岁、乳房开始发育、腕骨骨龄12岁可用于预测PHV的开始。     

Influence of Age,Sex, and Growth Variables on Phalangeal Quantitative Ultrasound Measures: A Study in Healthy Children and Adolescents

Skeletal status by phalangeal quantitative osteosonography (DBM Sonic BP - IGEA) was examined in 1227 healthy children (641 boys and 586 girls) aged 3–16 years. Aims of the study were to evaluate some physical parameters pertaining to the ultrasound transmission crossing the phalanx in a school-age population and to relate these values to age, sex, and growth variables. A correlation was found between AD-SoS (amplitude-dependent speed of sound) and BTT (bone transmission time) and, age, height, weight, and pubertal stage, respectively. No correlation existed between FWA (fast wave amplitude) and SDy (dynamics of the ultrasound signal) and age, height, weight, pubertal stage, and BMI, respectively. AD-SoS increased in boys until 7–8 years of age. Thereafter a plateau was reached up to age 12–13 years, when a rapid increase was observed corresponding to pubertal growth rate acceleration. In girls, AD-SoS increased with age up to 10–11 years with a steeper increase at the time of puberty starting about 2 years earlier than in boys. BTT presented a similar trend. Mean AD-SoS values increased from Tanner pubertal stages 1 to 2 and from stage 3 to 4 in both sexes. Significantly higher mean AD-SoS values in stages 2, 3, and 4 were observed in girls as compared to boys. Mean BTT values increased significantly from stage 1 to 5 in girls and from 1 to 4 in boys. QUS technology showed the ability to assess bone changes in the growing bone.     

Staging puberty in slipped capital femoral epiphysis: importance of the triradiate cartilage

In 83 children with slipped capital femoral epiphysis, puberty was staged at the time of diagnosis using bone age, closure of triradiate cartilage, Risser index, and the pubertal diagram of Dimeglio. In boys 95% and in girls 83% of slips occurred during the accelerating phase of puberty (stage 1 and 2), in which mainly the limbs grow. In boys (54%) and in girls (66%), most slips occurred in stage 1. The triradiate cartilage was still open at the time of diagnosis in 65% of boys and 64% of girls. Staging puberty is useful to differentiate the risk for slipped capital femoral epiphysis and to evaluate the risk for a contralateral slip. Closure of the triradiate cartilage is a simple measure to identify this risk. Once the triradiate cartilage is closed, there is a 4% chance of a contralateral slip.     

EPOS 32nd Annual Meeting

Idiopathic scoliosis is a growing spine disorder. Only a perfect knowledge of normal growth parameters such as bone age, stages of puberty, standing and sitting height, arm spam, Tanner stages, and weight allow the surgeon to plan the best treatment at the right moment. Measurements should be repeated and carefully recorded at regular intervals. Puberty is not a sudden event: it has a gradual onset and it is preceded by an incubation phase. It is not a point on a chart: it is a period that lasts two years beginning at a bone age of 11 and 13 years in girls and in boys, respectively. Two years of rapid growth (“acceleration phase”) are followed by three years of steady reduction of growth rates (“deceleration phase”). Skeletal maturation needs to be evaluated carefully to evaluate the progression risk of scoliosis during the phase of accelerating growth velocity. This article explains how to identify pubertal growth spurt, both clinically and radiographically, in order to correctly monitor patients with idiopathic scoliosis.     

Peak height velocity as a maturity indicator for males with idiopathic scoliosis

We retrospectively studied 43 adolescent boys treated with orthoses for idiopathic scoliosis to assess the usefulness of the timing of peak height velocity for predicting growth remaining and the likelihood of curve progression when compared with Risser sign, closure of the triradiate cartilage, and chronologic age. We compared the peak height velocity data in boys to our previous work for girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. We found the median height velocity plots showed a similar high peak and sharp decline as is found in girls. All 13 patients with a curve magnitude > 30 degrees at the time of peak height velocity had progression of their scoliosis to > 45 degrees despite bracing. Four of 29 patients (14%) with curves < or = 30 degrees at peak height velocity progressed to 45 degrees. These values generate a sensitivity of 76%, specificity of 100% and accuracy of 91% in predicting progression to 45 degrees. Similar values have been found in female patients. The use of peak height velocity to predict the length of time for remaining growth was superior to Risser sign and chronologic age for boys with idiopathic scoliosis. Closure of the triradiate cartilage approximated the timing of peak height velocity in boys.     

Obese Japanese children have low bone mineral density after puberty

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between BMD and childhood obesity. We examined 1070 obese children (722 boys and 348 girls) aged 7 to 15 years. Their mean relative weight, as a percentage of the standard weight for age, height, and sex, was 152.9 ± 14%. BMD was assessed, by a digital image processing method, in the second metacarpal bone of the left hand. We compared our results with those of healthy nonobese Japanese children based on both chronological and bone age. Mean BMD values for bone age in the obese children were significantly higher than those in control groups in boys aged 11 years and under and girls 9 years and under. On the other hand, in boys over 12 years old, BMD values for bone age were lower than those in the control groups. In girls over 11 years old, BMD values tended to be lower than those in the control groups. In conclusion, we studied the BMD of obese children from the point of view of advanced bone age. Our results showed that BMD was higher than in prepubertal obese children, but a low BMD value was found after puberty, due to poor gain of BMD during puberty. It is important to prevent obesity in childhood in order to prevent the low BMD after puberty.     

Relationship of iliac crest maturation to skeletal and chronologic age

Risser's sign, a measure of the excursion of the iliac crest apophysis, has been used to estimate remaining skeletal growth. We used the Brush-Bolton Collection to correlate iliac crest excursion with other roentgenographic standards of skeletal age. Iliac crest excursion was measured using Risser's technique. We were able to determine mean chronologic and skeletal ages for each Risser stage for boys and girls. The state of maturation of the iliac crest apophysis, together with clinical observations of secondary sexual maturation, permit an accurate assessment of skeletal maturation without the need for wrist and hand roentgenograms.     

Pubertal maturation characteristics and the rate of bone mass development longitudinally toward menarche.

To assess risks for osteoporosis and to compare bone mass in different groups of healthy children or children with diseases, it is important to have knowledge of their sexual maturation status during puberty. The aim of our study was to evaluate bone mass formation longitudinally in relation to pubertal maturation characteristics in healthy white girls. We investigated the bone mineral content (BMC) and the bone mineral density (BMD) at different skeletal sites in 151 girls with increasing pubertal stages in relation with their chronological age and with an early or late onset of puberty or menarche and with a slow or fast maturation. Bone mass was measured at the onset of puberty, during puberty, and at menarche. We conclude the following: (1) from midpuberty to menarche, the increase in bone mass formation is highest at all skeletal sites in white girls; (2) early mature girls at the onset of puberty have slightly but definitely lower bone masses at all skeletal sites and at all pubertal stages than late mature girls, whereas the average bone mass formation from the onset of puberty to menarche is similar in both groups; (3) girls with a slow rate of pubertal maturation have lower bone mass values 2 years after the onset of puberty, but at menarche bone mass is similar compared with fast maturers; and (4) it cannot be confirmed that there is an effect of menarcheal age on bone mass values at menarche.     

Carrying angle in children: a normative study

Information about the carrying angle and its variations are important in the management of paediatric elbow injuries. We measured the carrying angle using bony landmarks for 300 rural South Indian children aged 5-18 years. The study confirms that the clinical carrying angle correlates best with age up to 15 years, following which there was a slight decrease in the angles. The rate of increase of the carrying angle for boys and girls is 0.42 and 0.60 degrees per year respectively. Sex differences seem to gradually increase with a maximum being around puberty. The carrying angle is greater in girls than in boys by a mean of 1.31 degrees. The carrying angle did not correlate well with height, weight, humeral length or ulnar length. The reproducibility of measuring the carrying angle by the simple technique used in our study leads us to propose that this may be used in actual clinical practice.     

Growth and pubertal development following pediatric heart transplantation: a 15-year experience at Ste-Justine Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Thirty-one children and adolescents have undergone allograft heart transplantation at Ste-Justine Hospital from July 1984 to August 1996. Twenty-five patients were followed prospectively more than 3 years to document their growth and pubertal development. METHODS: Parameters surveyed were clinical (height, weight, pubertal staging, and bone age) and biochemical (luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), IGF-1, and fasting insulin). RESULTS: At surgery, there were 18 boys and 7 girls aged 11 months to 17 years (median 13 years); 14 had congenital heart defects (CHDs) and 11 had a cardiomyopathy (CM). Immunosuppressive therapy included cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. Eighteen patients were still growing (15 boys, 3 girls): 8 had a retarded bone age and 6 with CHD had severe growth failure. Following surgery, most patients maintained their height within one sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) score of that initially observed. Patients reaching their target heights do so mainly in the lower range. Three patients not reaching target height had a CHD. Weight was greatest 1 year postoperatively (113 +/- 27% ideal body weight) with normalization at 2 years (100 +/- 18%). Of the 13 prepubertal patients, menarche occurred at age 12 in 1 girl, while 3 boys began puberty at age 12 years. In both sexes, serum levels of gonadotropins and IGF-1 increased during puberty, moderate hyperinsulinism was observed, and DHEAS levels decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that children and adolescents grow normally following cardiac transplantation and that they attain their target height despite a lack of catch-up growth. They gain weight significantly in the first postoperative year with normalization of their weight at 2 years. Furthermore, the clinical and biochemical indices of puberty are overall within the norms. However, the severity of growth delay at the time of transplantation inherent to the cardiac pathology has a major impact on adult height.     

Impact of anthropometric, lifestyle, and body composition variables on ultrasound measurements in school children

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurement at hand phalanges was demonstrated to be a reliable method to assess skeletal maturation during childhood and adolescence. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of age, gender, puberty, lifestyle factors, and body composition on QUS parameters and to provide a normative database for QUS in school children in Lebanon. Measurements of phalangeal osteosonography were examined in 256 healthy subjects (132 boys and 124 girls) aged 11-18 years using an ultrasound device. In both genders, amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS) and bone transmission time (BTT) increased significantly with age and pubertal stages. Girls had higher AD-SoS values than boys between 11 and 15 years of age and at Tanner stages III and IV; however, no differences were detected in the older age groups. AD-SoS and BTT showed a significant positive correlation with age and height in both genders (R = 0.41-0.66, P < 0.01). There was no correlation between physical activity, calcium intake, sun exposure, and any of the QUS parameters in either gender. Weight showed moderate positive correlation with AD-SoS in boys and with BTT in both genders (R = 0.31-0.47, P < 0.01). Lean mass showed significant positive correlation with AD-SoS and BTT (R = 0.2-0.68, P < 0.01) in both genders. Percentage body fat showed significant negative correlation with BTT and AD-SoS in boys (R = -0.25 to -0.37, P < 0.01). In the linear regression analyses, there was a significant negative correlation between percentage fat mass and both AD-SoS and BTT in both genders. In conclusion, QUS parameters of the phalanges in Lebanese children are related to growth variables such as height, age, and puberty in healthy children. The impact and magnitude of body composition variables and lifestyle factors on ultrasonometry derived variables differ from their effect on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry derived parameters.     

Effect of growth velocity on the progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in boys

Growth velocities, curve magnitudes, curve patterns and Risser signs of 80 consecutive untreated boys with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were studied retrospectively and compared with the progression velocity of the curves. Growth velocity >or=4 cm/year with curves >or=25 degrees increased progression velocity of curves significantly (P<0.001). Growth velocity was fastest at skeletal ages 12-13 years but continued moderately after the age of 16 years. The major right thoracic curves were the most progressive.     

Insulin resistance during puberty: results from clamp studies in 357 children.

Insulin resistance may be an important cause of a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors in adults, and onset of this syndrome may occur in childhood. However, children normally experience transient insulin resistance at puberty. There were 357 normal children (159 girls, 198 boys) age 10-14 years who underwent euglycemic clamp studies to assess the effects of Tanner stage (T), sex, ethnicity, and BMI on insulin resistance. Insulin resistance increased immediately at the onset of puberty (T2), but returned to near prepubertal levels by the end of puberty (T5). Its peak occurred at T3 in both sexes, and girls were more insulin resistant than boys at all T stages. White boys appeared to be more insulin resistant than black boys; no difference was seen between white and black girls. Insulin resistance was strongly related to BMI, triceps skinfold thickness, and waist circumference, and this relationship was independent of Tanner stage or sex. Differences in BMI and adiposity did not, however, entirely explain the insulin resistance of puberty. These results demonstrate that 1) significant differences in insulin resistance are present between boys and girls; 2) insulin resistance increases significantly at T2, T3, and T4, but decreases to near prepubertal levels at T5; and 3) while insulin resistance is related to BMI and anthropometric measures of fatness, these factors do not completely explain the insulin resistance that occurs during the Tanner stages of puberty.     

Growth disturbance of the ilium after splitting the iliac apophysis and iliac crest bone harvesting in children: a retrospective study at the end of growth following unilateral Salter innominate osteotomy in 21 children.

The morphology of the iliac bone was assessed at the end of growth on AP x-rays of the pelvis in 21 children who had previously undergone unilateral pelvic osteotomy. The nonoperated side was used as a reference. There were 13 girls and 8 boys. Age at operation varied from 12 months to 12 years with a mean of 3 years and 10 months. The patients were distributed in 2 groups depending on their age at operation: before age 5 (group A, 16 cases) or after age 5 (group B, 5 cases). The mean age at follow-up was 15 years and 2 months (range 11-19 years). The end of pelvic growth was established by Risser stage IV. Distinct hypoplasia of the ilium due to premature growth arrest was observed in 16 cases: 12 in group A and 4 in group B. Other changes in the morphology of the ilium were noted, e.a. increased height of the ilium which was noted in 12 cases. The cosmetic prejudice was however minor, as compared with the radiological changes. In the authors' opinion, the alar hypoplasia was related to growth disturbances due to repeated splitting of the iliac apophysis. To prevent this complication the authors recommend avoiding the use of an electrocautery to incise the iliac apophysis and cutting the Kirschner wires so that their proximal ends lie within the subcutaneous fat, in order to avoid repeated splitting of the apophysis at the time of hardware removal.     

A 5-year epidemiological study on the prevalence rate of idiopathic scoliosis in Tokyo: school screening of more than 250,000 children

BackgroundSchool screening for scoliosis is a powerful tool that can be used to identify children who may have scoliosis. There have been no reports on the recent prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis in Japan since 1988.MethodsA 5-year epidemiologic study was performed to determined the prevalence of idiopathic scoliosis, the curve magnitude, the distribution of this magnitude, and the sex ratio in school children. Between 2003 and 2007, a total of 255,875 children aged 11–14 years were screened.ResultsA total of 3,424 children were found to be positive as a result of Moiré topography. With radiographic examination, 2,225 (65.0%) children with a Cobb angle of 10° or more were detected. The overall prevalence rate in schoolchildren 11–14 years of age with Cobb angles of 10° or more was 0.87%. The prevalence rate in girls increased from 0.78% at the age of 11–12 years to 2.51% at the age of 13–14 years. For boys, the prevalence rates were 0.04% at the age of 11–12 years and 0.25% at the age of 13–14 years. The overall ratio of girls to boys with scoliosis was 11:1. The ratio of girls to boys was 17:1 at the age of 11–12 years and 10:1 at the age of 13–14 years.ConclusionsThe majority of the curves fell in the range of 10°–19°. There was a slight increase in the prevalence rates of children with a curve of high magnitude (≥20°) as compared to the prevalence rate in 1988. We suggest that school screening for scoliosis is effective for early detection; however, it is first necessary to review and optimize the target groups.