Evaluation of proximal humeral epiphysis ossification in 3.0 T MR images according to the Dedouit staging method: Is it be used for age of majority?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for forensic age estimation is among the research issues since it does not lead to radiation exposure. In this study, the ossification stage of the proximal humeral epiphysis was determined retrospectively in 178 male and 109 female individuals in the 12 to 30-year age group using 3.0 T MRI. All images were evaluated with the proton density fat saturated turbo spin echo (PD TSE FS) sequence and the T2 TSE FS sequence. A five-stage scoring system was used following the method of Dedouit et al. The relevant statistics were defined as minimum, maximum, mean ± standard deviation, 95% confidence interval of mean and median and the intra- and interobserver agreement levels were very good (κ > 0.80). There were no significant age differences between males and females in any of the stages (all p-values>0.05). According to the present study, stage 5 was initially observed at age 22 years for both genders. According to our results, it is possible to determine the completion of the 18th year of life in either gender on the shoulder joint. Proximal humeral epiphysis ossification may be used as an additional method for forensic age estimation through MRI.