Age determination by spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion in Central Indian population

Comparing Walker's (2008) skull trait sex estimation standard to proteomic sex estimation for a group of South Asian individuals

This research assesses the potential for misidentification of sex in individuals of South Asian ancestry using the Walker (2008) morphological skull sex estimation standard [1]. Chromosomal sex was assessed using proteomic analysis targeting sex chromosome-specific amylogenic peptides. Results showed that the Walker method produced incorrect classification for 36.7 % of individuals. Overwhelmingly, those incorrectly assigned were chromosomally male. Misidentification was due to males within the group having lower trait scores (i.e., more gracile traits) than the standard would predict. There was also a high level of overlap in trait scores between male and females indicating reduced expression of sexual dimorphism. The use of established multivariate statistical techniques improved accuracy of sex estimation in some cases, but larger osteological data sets from South Asian individuals are required to develop population-specific standards. We suggest that peptide analysis may provide a useful tool for the forensic anthropologist when assessing sex in populations without population specific osteological standards.

Characterization of Spheno-occipital Synchondrosis Fusion From Preadolescents to Young Adults Using Age and Cervical Vertebrae Maturation Index

The purpose of this study was to characterize the spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion (SOSF) from preadolescents to young adults. A total of 630 Korean subjects (308 men, 322 women; age range, 6-18 y) were divided into 26 groups according to sex and age. After 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) images were reoriented using the Frankfort horizontal (FH) plane, mid-sagittal plane, and frontal plane via ON3D software (3DONS), the cervical vertebrae maturation index (CVMI) and SOSF stages were identified using 6-stage and 5-stage scoring systems, respectively. The distributions of stage in each group were statistically investigated. Women showed early appearance and a short range of onset (CVMI stage 2, SOSF stage 2), middle (CVMI stage 4, SOSF stage 3 and stage 4), and completion (CVMI stage 6, SOSF stage 5), indicating rapid skeletal maturation compared with men. In both males and females, there were strong positive correlations between age and CVMI stage (rs=0.902, rs=0.890), between age and SOSF stage (rs=0.887, rs=0.885), and between CVMI and SOSF stages (rs=0.955, rs=0.964) (all P<0.001). The mean ages at SOSF stage 3 and stage 4 (12.7~13.9 y in males and 11.0~12.5 y in females) could be used as indicators of the pubertal growth peak. Regression equations for SOSF stage (y), age (a), and CVMI stage (b) were as follows: y=1.355-(0.133×a)+(0.29007×b)+(0.041×a×b) for males (r2=0.9496); y=1.305-(0.158×a)+(0.455×b)+(0.036×a×b) for females (r2=0.9606). Ordinal logistic regression analyses with the proportional odds model showed that females had more advanced SOSF stages than males (odds ratio: 1.972; 95% CI: 1.063-3.658, P<0.05). Our findings may provide basic references for CVMI and SOSF from preadolescents to young adults.

Rethinking the Origin of the Primary Respiratory Mechanism

Spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is the joint regarded as the most important foundation for understanding cranial osteopathy and craniosacral therapy. SOS is the origin of the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM), a movement between the posterior surface of the body of the sphenoid bone and the anterior surface of the base of the occipital bone. From the PRM perspective, an alteration of the position between the two bone surfaces would create cranial and/or craniosacral dysfunction. These positional alterations of the SOS (in adults and children) would determine specific and schematical movements of the bones of the entire skull, whose movements are recognizable by palpation by trained operators. PRM expression is influenced by other elements, such as movement of the cranial bones, inherent movement of the central nervous system, cyclic movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), mechanical tension of the cranial meninges, and passive movement of the sacral bone between the iliac bones. The article reviews the most up-to-date information on the evolution of cranial sutures/joints and meninges in adulthood, the fluctuations of the CSF, brain, and spinal mass movements. Research should reconsider the motivations that induce the operator to discriminate the palpable cranial rhythmic impulse, and probably, to rethink new cranial dysfunctional patterns.

When does the spheno-occipital synchondrosis close?

In forensic work, the spheno-occipital synchondrosis helps identify the deceased as a child or young adult. In the past, it was generally held that the synchondrosis closed between the late teens and 25 years, but recent studies have suggested closure in adolescence. There are also suggestions that the age at closure recorded might be influenced by ancestry and the technique used to study the joint. This comprehensive review of the literature of the past 60 years concludes that the age of closure of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis is very variable, from childhood to the mid-twenties, with no obvious association with the geographical location of the study population. We note that some studies on bony specimens indicated later closure than others using clinical images and draw attention to a possible misinterpretation of the so-called "fusion scar" which might explain this incongruity. Despite an increasing acceptance that the synchondrosis usually closes in adolescence, we are concerned that insufficient heed is being paid to reports of closure in childhood and in the early to mid-twenties. We conclude that, for forensic purposes, it is unwise to declare that the synchondrosis closes in adolescence. It would be safer to state that a closed synchondrosis indicates a person 6 years or over and that an open synchondrosis may be seen up to the mid-twenties. Clearly, for younger individuals, the dentition and, for all individuals in this age range, documentation of unfused postcranial epiphyses would be important in attempting to narrow this very broad estimation of age.

A Computed Tomographic Analysis of Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis Ossification for Age Estimation in a Sample of Egyptians

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present work was to create statistically quantified age estimation standards based on spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) fusion state as visualized in computed tomography in Egyptians. The study included 208 Egyptians between the ages of 5 and 30 years (117 male and 90 female participants). Spheno-occipital synchondrosis was visualized in a midsagittal view in a neutral head position. Degree of ossification of SOS was assessed using a 4-stage system. Interobserver agreement and intraobserver agreement were almost perfect with Cohen κ values of 0.863 and 0.983, respectively. The mean ages of complete fusion (stage 3) were 20.36 ± 3.11 and 20.94 ± 4.06 years in male and female participants, respectively. Nonfusion (stage 0) was observed up to 15 and 13 years in male and female participants, respectively. Complete fusion occurred as early as 15 and 13 years in male and female participants, respectively. All subjects with nonfused SOS were minors (<18 years). A total of 87.9% of male participants and 85.3% of female participants with completely fused SOS were legally adults (≥18 years). Significant regression models were formulated to predict age from SOS fusion stage (adjusted R2 = 0.779 for male participants and 0.780 for female participants). Regression models predicted that male and female participants 18 years or older with 96.30% and 95.59% accuracy, respectively.

Fusion patterns of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis in the age range of 9-22: A computed tomography analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the fusion patterns of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) in the age range of 9-22 using CT and CBCT images of an Iranian population.

SETTING/SAMPLE POPULATION

Spiral CT and CBCT scans of 763 subjects (459 males and 304 females) aged 9-22 were evaluated. The scans had to cover the cranial base area, and those with diseases affecting the bone density, cranial base masses and history of trauma were excluded.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists scored the images with regard to the status of SOS fusion based on a 5-stage system. Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's exact tests were used for data analysis. Age and SOS fusion stages were evaluated through Spearman correlation and linear regression methods (α = 0.01).

RESULTS

The earliest age for onset of SOS fusion was 9 in both sexes. Open SOS could be observed until the age of 15 and 14 in males and females, respectively. The earliest age of complete fusion was 12 in males and 13 in females. Furthermore, there was a significant, positive correlation between age and the different stages of SOS fusion (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

A significant correlation exists between age and the fusion stages of SOS, rendering it an appropriate means of age estimation during growth periods. Fusion of SOS begins approximately 2 years earlier in females; however, it ends at the age of 17 in both sexes. The fusion scar can be detected up to the age of 12 and 13 in males and females, respectively.