Age Estimation in Han Adults by Thin-Layer CT Scan of Cranial Sutures

Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Cranial Suture Obliteration for Age Estimation in an Indian Population

BACKGROUND

Age estimation is a critical aspect of human identification. Age is assessed using cranial suture obliteration, pelvic morphological changes, epiphyseal fusion of long bones, dental maturation, and other standard methods.

METHODS

The present study investigated three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scans of 263 individuals (183 males and 80 females) to assess the extent of ectocranial suture closure. The assessment of obliteration was done using a three-stage scoring method. Spearman's correlation coefficient (p < 0.05) was calculated to assess the relationship between cranial suture closure and chronological age. Simple and multiple linear regression models were developed using the cranial suture obliteration scores to estimate age.

RESULTS

The standard errors of the estimate using multiple linear regression models developed for estimating age using obliteration scores of sagittal, coronal, and lambdoid sutures were 15.08 years in males, 13.27 years in females, and 14.74 years in the total study population.

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that in the absence of additional skeletal age markers, this method can be used alone or in conjunction with other well-established methods of age assessment.

Study on the Application Value of CT Thin-Layer Scan Data Assisted 3D Printing Technology in Hip and Knee Replacement

To better study hip and knee replacement, 50 eligible hip and knee patients from March 2020 to April 2021 were selected. A 1 : 1 scale solid model was printed with CT thin-layer scanning data assisted by 3D printing technology to evaluate the ankle function of patients six months after surgery. The results showed that the 3D rapid prototyping time of the 1 : 1 fracture model in 50 patients was 3-4 hours. The operation time was 70-90 min, and the average operation time was 80 min. The actual application in operation was consistent with that in the simulation of the 3D printing model, after surgery, and there was no infection of incision soft tissue or loss of reduction in all 50 patients. CT thin-layer scan data aided 3D printing technology can help clinical hip and knee replacement simulation and planning, improving surgery's accuracy and safety.