A RADIOLOGICAL STUDY OF APPEARANCE OF OSSIFICATION CENTRES IN THE CARPAL BONES IN BOYS AND GIRLS (AGE GROUP 2 to 12 YEARS) OF THE JODHPUR REGION

Abstract

Background: To study the appearance of ossification centres of carpal bones in both sexes in age group 2 to 12 years.

Methods: This study was conducted to find out age from ossification of carpal bones on 200 children (2 years to 12 years of age) at Dr. S.N. Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Jodhpur. Minimum age of the child was 2 years and maximum 12 years. The cases were randomly selected, but priority was given to only those children whose parents could give the exact date of birth of their children.

Results: Triquetral and lunate carpals appear after capitate and hamate. Triquetral appeared at the age of 3-4 years and lunate at the age of 4-5 years. So below the age of 3 years a child may have 2 carpals which may increase to 3 at the age of 3 years and 4 at the age of 4 years in both sexes. Trapezium, trapezoid and scaphoid carpals appeared between the age of 5 to 9 years. Their appearance was slightly earlier in females than in males. These three carpals may appear simultaneously or at different times. The pisiform was last to ossify in both the sexes. In the female it appeared between 10 to 11 years of age. In male it appeared between 11 to 12 year of age.

Conclusion: The sequence of appearance of carpal bones in the Jodhpur population is similar to what is described in the literature.

Keywords: Carpal bone, Age, Sex