Multislice Computed Tomography of the First Rib: A Useful Technique for Bone Age Assessment

• NCJ Number: 231625
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2010 Pages: 865-870
• Author(s): Guillaume Moskovitch, M.S.; Fabrice Dedouit, M.D.; Jose Braga, Ph.D.; Daniel Rouge, M.D., Ph.D.; Herve Rousseau, M.D., Ph.D.; Norbert Telmon, M.D., Ph.D.
• Date Published: July 2010
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Macroscopic study of the first rib has been described by Kunos et al. as an efficient method of age estimation. The current study retrospectively reviewed a test sample of 160 first right ribs obtained from multislice computed tomography (MSCT) clinical investigations of living individuals aged 15-30 years old.

Abstract

Based on the descriptions of Kunos et al., the study analyzed the morphological appearance of the sternal end of the first rib on two- and three-dimensional MSCT reconstructions and defined changes in appearance in stages (from two to five). The study also studied the calcification and ossification of the costal cartilage as an independent feature. By statistical analysis (ANOVA), the study determined for each gender the correlation between the estimated stage of the costal face, the appearance of the costal cartilage, and the documented age of the subjects. The study demonstrated that MSCT of the first rib appears to be an efficient noninvasive modality for bone age estimation. (Published Abstract)