Radiological assessment of age of fusion at distal end of tibia in adolescent boys

Abstract

Determination of age of an individual by using various methods is required for medico legal purposes in both civil and criminal  matters. Ossification of bones is diagnostic tool for estimation of age until the process is complete for particular bones. Extent of  ossification and union of epiphysis of bones can be determined in living subject by using skiagraphy. In the present study epiphyseal  fusion of the distal end of tibia in 82 individuals was analysed on radiological basis to assess the range of variation of epiphyseal fusion  at each age. X ray films of the participants were divided into three groups on the basis of degree of fusion. Firstly, those which were  showing No Epiphyseal Fusion (NF), secondly those showing Partial fusion (PF), and thirdly those showing complete Fusion (CF).  Observations made were compared with the previous radiological studies. In the present study epiphysis of distal end of tibia fused in  majority of cases at 17-20 years. Earliest fusion occurred at 17 years. The observation of present study corresponds to data given by  Davies and Parson in the population of England, Hepworth in the population of Punjab, Bokariya in the population of Rajasthan and  Narain, Bajaj in the population Uttar Pradesh.