Growth arrest, as you note, has been reported. However, it's very rare. There just isn't enough data to make firm recommendations about X-ray monitoring. I can tell you that it isn't standard practice to obtain such X-rays. As to how reliably predictive they are of side-effects, I simply don't know.
Dr. Rockoff
If anyone has taken accutane during the growing years and has had significant growth after treatment, please post. Thanks!
I was put on Accutane after antibiotics did not really work. (Tried many things) I was 18 and not worried about growth. I started at like 1/4 of a normal dose for about 1-2 mo, then jumped to 1/2 dose. My acne went away virtually overnight. (Usually it is supposed to take a long time) Once that happened I had the normal side effects - dry skin/eyes, etc. But once I jumped to 1/2 dose I got bi-polar depression, and that was not fun at all!
I was taken off right away once we figured out what was going on. My dermatologist retired and the new one 3 months later said "Have you ever tried accutane?" and I said "Did you even look at my medical history?".
I did not go back.
I was on accutane when it was fairly new (1985). It worked great for me. I did not have a growth arrest. Honestly, as bad as my skin was, I would not have cared.
Best luck!