The epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle determined by CT - An axillary method in age identification during adolescence and 3rd decade of life?

Purpose: To establish a reference population for the stages of epiphyseal union of the medical clavicle determined by CT. Material and methods: Retrospectively, the thoracic CTs of patients under 30 years of age were reevaluated. Basic conditions were the lack of a bone development disorder and a sufficient assessment of the medial clavicle in a bone window setting. The stages of epiphyseal union were categorized as follows: Stage 1 refers to nonunion without ossification of the epiphysis, Stage 2 to nonunion with a separate and ossified epiphysis, Stage 3 to partial, and Stage 4 to complete union. Results: Up to now, 279 individuals could be included in the study. Stage 1 was observed till age 16, Stage 2 occurred from ages 13 through 22, Stage 3 was found from ages 76 through 26. Stage 4 was first noted at age 22, and in 100% of the sample at age 27. Conclusions: CT is well suitable to determine the stages of epiphyseal union of the medial clavicle. It may become a generally accepted method of age identification during adolescence and the 3rd decade of life. The presented data serve as a reference population at least for white Europeans.