ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the correlation between CTvolume rendering (VR) statistics and living age and to build the mathematical models for skeletal age evaluation based on the grow th rules of medi-al clavicular epiphysis of teenagers in China. Methods The thin layer CTscan and VR3D imaging re-construction of both sides of sternal ends of clavicles were exam ined for 684 teenagers aged from 15 to 25 in East and South China. The parameters of sternal end of clavicle including the longest diameter of epiphysis, the longest diameter of metaphysis, their length radio, area of epiphysis, area of meta-physic, their area ratio, and other data were measured and calculated in order to establish mathematical models of skeletal age evaluation. Fifty trained subjects were tested to verify the accuracy of the math-ematical models. Results In the same age group, the length ratio and the area ratio had significant dif-ference in genders (P<0.05). The established mathematical models showed that the grow th rules of medial clavicular epiphysis were highly correlated with the living ages. The accuracies of these models were higher than 70.5% (±1.0 year) and 82.5% (±1.5 year). Conclusion The mathematical models have easy operability and high accuracy. It can be used to confirmand sustain the conclusion of atlas method. M eanw hile, it is of great significance to study the other single skeletal age evaluation in the future.