Comparative study of Gilsanz-Ratib digital atlas and Greulich-Pyle atlas for bone age estimation in a Chinese sample

Abstract

Background: The applicability of the Gilsanz-Ratib (GR) digital atlas to bone age (BA) determination in China has not been evaluated.

Aim: To compare the validity of GR and the Greulich-Pyle (GP) atlas in BA determination for children in Shanghai.

Subjects and methods: Left-hand radiographs of 243 girls and 375 boys aged 0–13 years were obtained for suspected trauma. They were divided into eight sub-groups according to gender and age (0–3, 3–7, 7–10 and 10–13 years). Radiographs were read by two radiologists, using both GP and GR atlases. The differences between BA and calendar age (CA) were analysed. The inter- and intra-observer consistency was evaluated.

Results: Pearson’s correlation coefficients indicated a strong positive correlation between methods and between raters. The differences between BA and CA of two sub-groups (10–13-year-old boys, GR; 0–3-year-old girls, GP) were not only statistically significant, but exceeded 1 SD, suggesting biological significance.

Conclusion: Both atlases can be used on most age groups. However, the GR atlas is not recommended in boys aged 10–13 years, while the GP atlas is not suitable for girls aged 0–3 years. Therefore, the use of the GP or GR atlas is practical, depending on the age of the child.

• Bone age
• Chinese children
• consistency
• Gilsanz and Ratib
• Greulich and Pyle

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their deep gratitude to the children and their parents as well as our colleagues for collecting the data in this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.