Predicting chronological age based on age-related osteophyte development in the superior and inferior vertebral centrum margins of T12-L5.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between vertebral margins at individual vertebral levels between T12-L5 vertebra and chronological age and develop predictive models. Three hundred and nineteen CT scans from a medical imaging database in North America were randomly selected. Three superior and inferior vertebral margin sites were scored based on observable age-related changes. All individual vertebral margin site scores significantly correlated with age at death with Pearson r values ranging from 0.47 to 0.77. Totaling the individual vertebral margin site scores for L1-L5 improved Pearson r to 0.92. All resulting predictive models were significant, and the best models predicted age at death within 10 years 70%-76% of the time for males, females, and combined male and females. In conclusion, this study produced accurate and reliable models to predict age at death using age-related changes in the spine for a North American population.

The accuracy and reliability of the Suchey-Brooks pubic symphysis age estimation method: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Suchey-Brooks method has been studied many times with varying reports of accuracy and reliability. A systematic review and meta-analyses were utilized to quantitatively determine the accuracy and reliability of the Suchey-Brooks (S-B) method. A systematic search of PubMed and EBSCO health and medical databases was performed. Meta-analyses were performed to quantify the relationship between actual known age at death and the S-B method using Spearman's Rho and Pearson's r for (1) combined males and females estimates, (2) male-only estimates, and (3) female-only estimates. Overall correlation coefficient using Cohen's kappa, Spearman's Rho, and Pearson's r was also calculated to determine the interrater and intrarater reliability using the S-B method. Eighteen studies classified as moderate-to-high methodological quality met the inclusion criteria. The sample sizes were different for the combined male and female (n = 2620), male-only (n = 2602), and female-only (n = 1431) meta-analyses. The effect size of the age at death meta-analyses was large and significant for combined males and females (Spearman's Rho = 0.62; Pearson's r = 0.65), male-only (Spearman's Rho = 0.77; Pearson's r = 0.75), and female-only (Spearman's Rho = 0.71; Pearson's r = 0.71). The overall correlation coefficients of the interrater (Kappa = 0.76; Spearman's Rho = 0.73; Pearson's r = 0.80) and intrarater (Kappa = 0.81; Spearman's Rho = 0.91; Pearson's r = 0.83) reliability meta-analyses were large and significant. A significant degree of heterogeneity was present in all meta-analyses, with minimal evidence of publication bias. The meta-analyses results suggest the S-B method is highly reliable with a moderate-to-high degree of accuracy. Our results also identified sample size and accuracy differences between male and female individuals.

Using a 3D-Printed Prosthetic to Improve Participation in a Young Gymnast.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report was to investigate the application of a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed prosthetic hand to improve a child's participation, confidence, and satisfaction in gymnastic classes, specifically, horizontal bar-related skills. SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS: A 9-year-old child was unable to participate in horizontal bar-related gymnastic skills due to a congenital hand deficiency. A prosthetic hand was designed, 3D printed, modified repeatedly, and incorporated into a program, which resulted in improvements in the child's ability to participate in gymnastics. CONCLUSIONS: Using a 3D-printed upper limb prosthetic hand improved the child's participation, confidence, and satisfaction in her gymnastic classes permitting use of horizontal bar. To progress to higher-intensity activities, further safety measures and testing of the prosthetic hand are needed. WHAT THIS CASE ADDS TO EVIDENCEBASED PRACTICE: A 3D-printed prosthetic hand was manufactured and customized allowing closely monitored, gradually increased, participation in horizontal bar gymnastics.

Using micro computed tomography to investigate a fetal mummy with possible situs inversus: A case report.

OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to noninvasively examine mummified remains, but can have resolution limitations when analyzing smaller mummified specimens, such as fetal mummies. This short report determines if the enhanced resolution of micro CT improves the anatomical analysis of mummified fetal anatomy. METHODS: A fetal mummy from an anatomical collection was scanned by a micro CT at a resolution of 0.08 mm slice thickness. The mummy was also scanned at a resolution of 0.6 mm slice thickness to mimic the approximate minimum resolution of a conventional CT scanner. The anatomy was virtually reconstructed at both resolutions to compare anatomical detail for determining sex, gestation, and the presence of congenital/ pathological conditions. RESULTS: The anatomical reconstructions based on the micro CT were significantly more detailed than the conventional CT data. This resulted in improved identification of sex and the presence of a congenital/ pathological condition. CONCLUSION: Micro CT should be considered when examining fetal mummies, because of the enhanced resolution resulting in improve anatomical analysis.