Virginia Via Research Day Book 2026

Medical Student Research Biomedical

09 ESTIMATING AGE IN EARLY LIFE USING THE SPHENO-OCCIPITAL SYNCHONDROSIS: A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY STUDY

Anthony Collura*, Ashley Funkhouser* Brunda Bellamkonda, Indra Kapoor, Aaron Beger Corresponding author: acollura@vt.vcom.edu

VCOM-Virginia, Blacksburg, Virginia

nmdid.unm.edu). Scans were uploaded to 3D scanner (version 4.11.2021) and analyzed in the midsagittal plane, using nasal septum, nasal spine, and internal occipital protuberance as midsagittal landmarks. Measurements of SOS width were taken on 104 subjects (average age: 2.25 years, range: 0-4.92) at its superior (endocranial), inferior (ectocranial), and middle aspects by four independent reviewers. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the strength of the correlation with age and the three SOS measurements. Results: Preliminary results indicate the endocranial width averaged 2.53mm, ectocranial width averaged 2.47mm, and the midpoint averaged 1.45mm. Pearson's correlation revealed the a moderate negative correlation with the endocranial width (R=-0.50), with weaker negative correlations for the endocranial (R=-0.15) and midpoint measurements (-0.14).

Context: The spheno-occipital synchrondrosis (SOS) is the articulation between the sphenoid and occipital bones, forming an important osteological element of the cranial base. Manipulation of the SOS using osteopathic manipulative techniques has been used to treat cranial base somatic dysfunctions. Prior imaging based studies aimed at analyzing the morphology of the SOS are traditionally limited to adult populations, a byproduct of limiting radiation exposure to adolescents. It is understood that the SOS undergoes fusion in early life; however, knowledge on the rate and patterning of fusion is limited. Advancing this knowledge could help promote the utility of osteopathic manipulation in adolescent populations and explore the possibility of using the state of the SOS as an estimator for age. Objective: Measure the endocranial, ectocranial, and midpoint width of the SOS in individuals aged 0-5 years. Methods: High -resolution, bone window computed tomography scans were accessed via the New Mexico Decedent Imaging Database (https://

Conclusions: The SOS usually does not fuse within the first 5 years of life. The endocranial width of the SOS is the best predictor of age in early adolescents, though it is still a relatively weak biomarker. Future studies would be strengthened by increasing the sample size and exploring populations beyond the Southwest United States. IRB statement: This study was reviewed and approved by VCOM IRB (record #2024-203).

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