To evaluate a simplified method for assessing adolescent bone age using a single key bone per age group and compare it with the standard Greulich-Pyle method.
Approach:
Study Design: A retrospective study involving 117 hand and wrist radiographs from adolescents referred for short stature evaluation.
Methods: Two experienced pediatric endocrinologists performed duplicate readings using both methods, while two inexperienced pediatric residents assessed radiographs using only the simplified method.
Key Findings:
Approximately 91% of simplified assessments by experienced raters fell within 1 year of Greulich-Pyle estimates.
Mean difference between simplified and GP methods was +0.02 years in boys and -0.14 years in girls.
Repeatability of the simplified method was slightly lower than GP but within clinically acceptable limits.
Agreement was lower among inexperienced raters, with 77% of female and 85% of male assessments within ±1 year of GP estimates.
Interpretation:
The simplified method may serve as a rapid secondary review tool.
Limitations:
Patient population consisted exclusively of adolescents referred for short stature evaluation, limiting generalizability.
Inexperienced raters did not perform parallel GP assessments.
Conclusion:
The simplified approach offers a tool to enhance consistency and efficiency in skeletal age evaluations.
