Correlation and Correspondence between Skeletal Maturation Indicators in Hand-Wrist and Cervical Vertebra Analyses and Skeletal Maturity Score in Korean Adolescents

This retrospective observational study aimed to examine the correlation and correspondence between skeletal maturation indicators (SMI), cervical vertebral maturation indicators (CVMI), and radius-ulna-short bones (RUS) skeletal maturity scores in Korean adolescents, and to determine whether easily obtainable SMI or CVMI can replace the RUS skeletal maturity score. A total of 1017 participants were included with both hand-wrist radiograph and lateral cephalogram acquired concurrently. From the lateral cephalogram, CVMI was determined; through the hand-wrist radiograph, SMI was categorized, and the RUS skeletal maturity score was evaluated as well. Associations were examined using the Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank-order correlation analysis, and multiple correspondence analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in chronological age between males and females; however, the SMI, CVMI, and RUS skeletal maturity scores were significantly higher in females. The SMI, CVMI, and RUS skeletal maturity scores showed a statistically significant strong degree of both positive correlation and correspondence. However, a precisely corresponding RUS skeletal maturity score was difficult to obtain for a specific CVMI and SMI stage, implying the absence of a quantitative correlation. In conclusion, detailed evaluation should be conducted using the RUS skeletal maturity score, preferably in cases that require bone age determination or residual growth estimation.