Comparison study of growth plate fusion using MRI versus plain radiographs as used in age determination for exclusion of overaged football players

Background MRI of distal radius fusion is currently being used in the U17 World Cup to exclude overaged players. Developing countries that cannot afford to perform MRI on their players are using plain radiographs based on the same MRI criteria of fusion. Objective The aim of this study is to compare the grade of fusion of the left wrist distal radial growth plate between MRI and plain radiographs. Methods 150 healthy male football players were grouped into five age groups ranging from 15 to 19 years old. Each participant had coronal T1-weighted MRI and plain radiograph of the left wrist. The degree of distal radius fusion was rated randomly by three radiologists using a six-stage grading system proposed by the FIFA Research Centre. Results MRI assessment of distal radial growth plate fusion has good correlation with plain radiograph fusion (r=0.949). The mean of x-ray grading is higher than the MRI grading in the 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 years old age groups with p=0.443, 0.001, 0.009,