Radiological assessment of age from epiphyseal fusion at the wrist and ankle in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study aims to examine the variation between stages of epiphyseal fusion at the distal end of radius, ulna, tibia, and fibula and its usefulness in the evaluation of age. MethodsAnterior-posterior and lateral radiographs of the distal end of bones at the wrist and ankle of 199 males and 185 females aged 9–19 years were investigated. Four stages of fusion were observed, as described by Jit and Kulkarnis, stage 0: non fusion, stage 1: appearance, stage 2: partial fusion, and stage 3: complete fusion. The Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara approved this research with Ethical Number: DELSUTH/HREC/2018/050/0347. Data obtained were analyzed with the aid of a Chi-square test via Statistical Package for Social Sciences and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Resultsshowed that the appearance of the epiphyseal centres at the distal ulna and radius of males and females began at the age of 9–16, while the appearance of epiphyseal centres in the distal tibia and fibula of males began at the age of 9–17. Males achieved complete epiphyseal fusion at the distal end of the tibia and fibula at age 19, while females showed complete fusion from 15 to 19 years of age.This indicates that females have consistently developed epiphyseal fusion at a younger age relative to males. ConclusionFrom these results, it can be inferred that radiographic examination of the distal end of bones in the wrist and ankle is a beneficial alternative for age assessment. This will be a useful tool to forensic experts and biological anthropologist.