Significance of spheno-occipital synchondrosis in age estimation - A retrospective CBCT study

Spheno-occipital synchondrosis has a relatively late ossification which makes it utile for age estimation of the unidentified individuals. The present study aimed to assess the significance of spheno-occipital synchondrosis in age estimation and to evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the same. CBCT mid-sagittal images of 50 patients between the age range of 10 and 25 years were used to assess the extent of fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis, using a three-stage scoring. Complete fusion of the synchondrosis was evident in most of the females below 20 years of age while in males the complete fusion was depicted mostly above 20 years of age. CBCT with its cost-effectiveness and lower radiation exposure serves as a better source for spheno-occipital synchondrosis assessment with an appropriate resolution and multiplanar orientation.