Estimation of Radiological Age From Sternum: An Autopsy-based Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Visakhapatnam
Keywords:
Sternum, Radiological age estimation, Forensic anthropology, Manubriosternal fusion, Xiphisternal fusion, Autopsy studyAbstract
Background: Age estimation is a fundamental aspect of forensic identification, particularly in cases involving unknown deceased individuals, skeletal remains, and medicolegal investigations. The sternum is a durable bone that often withstands decomposition and can provide useful indicators for age estimation through assessment of fusion at the manubriosternal and xiphisternal joints.
Aim: To estimate radiological age from fusion status of the manubrium and xiphisternum with the body of the sternum in an autopsy population.
Methods: An autopsy-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. A total of 101 sterna obtained from cadavers aged 25–75 years were examined radiologically. Plain radiographs in anteroposterior and anterior oblique views were analyzed for fusion status of the manubriosternal and xiphisternal joints. Fusion was graded as non-fusion, partial fusion, or complete fusion. Age-wise and sex-wise distributions were evaluated.
Results: Among 101 sterna studied, 82 (81.2%) belonged to males and 19 (18.8%) to females. At the manubriosternal joint, non-fusion was observed in 79 (78.2%), partial fusion in 18 (17.9%), and complete fusion in 4 (3.9%) cases. At the xiphisternal joint, non-fusion was observed in 48 (47.5%), partial fusion in 30 (29.7%), and complete fusion in 23 (22.8%) cases. Fusion of the xiphisternum occurred earlier and more frequently than fusion of the manubrium. Complete xiphisternal fusion was absent below 35 years of age and became increasingly common after 45 years.
Conclusion: Radiological assessment of fusion of the sternum provides valuable information for forensic age estimation. The xiphisternal joint demonstrates earlier fusion and greater reliability compared with the manubriosternal joint. However, considerable individual variation exists, and sternum fusion should be used in conjunction with other age-estimation parameters.
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