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Pediatric Endocrinology (Expert Forum)
How accurate are bone x-rays
Answered by
Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD - Short Stature, thyroid, Pituitary abnormalit, Puberty concerns, Rapid Growth, Adrenal problems, Parathyroid abnormal, Rickets and bone dis
Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital
Nashville - TN
Questions in the Pediatric Endocrinology forum are answered by Dr. Deanna L Aftab Guy, affiliated with Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Topics covered include adrenal problems, diabetes insipidus, menstrual irregularities, obesity, parathyroid abnormalities, pituitary abnormalities, puberty concerns, rapid growth, rickets and bone disease, short stature, and thyroid.
How accurate are bone x-rays
by NEO15, Sep 04, 2008 02:54PM
My 16 year old son is 5'5 (and very worried). The doctor has told us that his x-ray (wrist) shows that his growth plates are fused. Is it possible that the x-ray reading is not accurate, or that he will continue to grow anyway? His dad and uncles are 6ft and over. The shortest man in my family is 5'8. The doctor also said his bone age is 19- don't some boys grow even after 19? Any advice?
Doctor's Answer
by Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD, Sep 10, 2008 04:43PM
, Sep 10, 2008 04:43PMTo: NEO15
Well, good question, the atlas is of healthy "normal" children so many may argue in regards to a bone age, but fusion of the growth plates is not really ambiguous, we usually age the bones distal to proximal meaning the tips of the fingers leading to our more overall impression rather than the wrist, however if the wrist if fused there is not much growth left, 1/2 to 1 inch at most. You can ask for a pediatric radiologist to read it or an endocrinologist if you like, bone age of 19 is pretty much done.
