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Magnetic resonance imaging of the iliac crest: age estimation in under-20 soccer players

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Abstract

Age assessment of living individuals represents a valuable tool in both forensic medicine and sports medicine. In soccer, age-related tournaments play an important role in guaranteeing equal chances to the competitors. However, age estimations in this field should not rely on imaging methods that include exposure to radiation. Therefore, the present study investigates the possibilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the iliac crest apophysis for the purpose of evaluating skeletal maturation in under-20 (U-20) soccer players. To this end, gradient echo 3D sequences of the whole pelvis of 152 male tournament soccer players between 18 and 22 years of age were prospectively evaluated. A four stage classification system was applied for the assessment of the apophyseal ossification. Reliable stage determination was possible in all cases. Further sub-classification did not appear feasible due to the limitations of MRI. Analysis of the statistical parameters showed that age medians increased steadily from stage to stage. However, they did not allow for further differentiation of skeletal maturity in the cohort studied. Thus, MRI of the iliac crest appears to be generally suitable in age diagnostics of living individuals, but further investigations, especially in a cohort of individuals aged between 10 and 20 years, are needed in order to establish this method as novel criterion in sports or forensic medicine.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Röntgenstraße 23, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Daniel Wittschieber, Maximilian Timme & Andreas Schmeling

  2. Institute of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

    Volker Vieth

  3. Department of Neurology, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland

    Jiri Dvorak

  4. FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC), Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland

    Jiri Dvorak

Authors
  1. Daniel Wittschieber
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  2. Volker Vieth
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  3. Maximilian Timme
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  4. Jiri Dvorak
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  5. Andreas Schmeling
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Correspondence to Daniel Wittschieber.

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Wittschieber, D., Vieth, V., Timme, M. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the iliac crest: age estimation in under-20 soccer players. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 10, 198–202 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-014-9548-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-014-9548-5

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