Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to enhance clinical diagnostics for quantitative cervical vertebral maturation (QCVM) staging with precise landmark localization. Existing methods are often subjective and time-consuming, while deep learning alternatives withstand the complex anatomical variation...

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Main Authors: Fulin Jiang, Abbas Ahmed Abdulqader, Yan Yan, Fangyuan Cheng, Tao Xiang, Jinghong Yu, Juan Li, Yong Qiu, Xin Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Head & Face Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-025-00498-6
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author Fulin Jiang
Abbas Ahmed Abdulqader
Yan Yan
Fangyuan Cheng
Tao Xiang
Jinghong Yu
Juan Li
Yong Qiu
Xin Chen
author_facet Fulin Jiang
Abbas Ahmed Abdulqader
Yan Yan
Fangyuan Cheng
Tao Xiang
Jinghong Yu
Juan Li
Yong Qiu
Xin Chen
author_sort Fulin Jiang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives This study aimed to enhance clinical diagnostics for quantitative cervical vertebral maturation (QCVM) staging with precise landmark localization. Existing methods are often subjective and time-consuming, while deep learning alternatives withstand the complex anatomical variations. Therefore, we designed an advanced two-stage convolutional neural network customized for improved accuracy in cervical vertebrae analysis. Methods This study analyzed 2100 cephalometric images. The data distribution to an 8:1:1 for training, validation, and testing. The CVnet system was designed as a two-step method with a comprehensive evaluation of various regions of interest (ROI) sizes to locate 19 cervical vertebral landmarks and classify precision maturation stages. The accuracy of landmark localization was assessed by success detection rate and student t-test. The QCVM diagnostic accuracy test was conducted to evaluate the assistant performances of our system for six junior orthodontists. Results Upon precise calibration with optimal ROI size, the landmark localization registered an average error of 0.66 ± 0.46 mm and a success detection rate of 98.10% within 2 mm. Additionally, the identification accuracy of QCVM stages was 69.52%, resulting in an enhancement of 10.95% in the staging accuracy of junior orthodontists in the diagnostic test. Conclusions This study presented a two-stage neural network that successfully automated the identification of cervical vertebral landmarks and the staging of QCVM. By streamlining the workflow and enhancing the accuracy of skeletal maturation estimation, this method offered valuable clinical support, particularly for practitioners with limited experience or access to advanced diagnostic resources, facilitating more consistent and reliable treatment planning.
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spelling doaj-art-ed8a0657e89e4edcb683298bd3a0b16a2025-08-20T03:41:14ZengBMCHead & Face Medicine1746-160X2025-03-0121111210.1186/s13005-025-00498-6Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysisFulin Jiang0Abbas Ahmed Abdulqader1Yan Yan2Fangyuan Cheng3Tao Xiang4Jinghong Yu5Juan Li6Yong Qiu7Xin Chen8College of Computer Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing University Three Gorges HospitalState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan UniversityChengdu Boltzmann Intelligence Technology Co., LtdCollege of Computer Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing University Three Gorges HospitalCollege of Computer Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing University Three Gorges HospitalState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China School of Stomatology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan UniversityCollege of Computer Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing University Three Gorges HospitalCollege of Computer Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing University Three Gorges HospitalAbstract Objectives This study aimed to enhance clinical diagnostics for quantitative cervical vertebral maturation (QCVM) staging with precise landmark localization. Existing methods are often subjective and time-consuming, while deep learning alternatives withstand the complex anatomical variations. Therefore, we designed an advanced two-stage convolutional neural network customized for improved accuracy in cervical vertebrae analysis. Methods This study analyzed 2100 cephalometric images. The data distribution to an 8:1:1 for training, validation, and testing. The CVnet system was designed as a two-step method with a comprehensive evaluation of various regions of interest (ROI) sizes to locate 19 cervical vertebral landmarks and classify precision maturation stages. The accuracy of landmark localization was assessed by success detection rate and student t-test. The QCVM diagnostic accuracy test was conducted to evaluate the assistant performances of our system for six junior orthodontists. Results Upon precise calibration with optimal ROI size, the landmark localization registered an average error of 0.66 ± 0.46 mm and a success detection rate of 98.10% within 2 mm. Additionally, the identification accuracy of QCVM stages was 69.52%, resulting in an enhancement of 10.95% in the staging accuracy of junior orthodontists in the diagnostic test. Conclusions This study presented a two-stage neural network that successfully automated the identification of cervical vertebral landmarks and the staging of QCVM. By streamlining the workflow and enhancing the accuracy of skeletal maturation estimation, this method offered valuable clinical support, particularly for practitioners with limited experience or access to advanced diagnostic resources, facilitating more consistent and reliable treatment planning.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-025-00498-6Quantitative cervical vertebral maturation (QCVM)Lateral cephalogramAutomated landmark locationArtificial intelligenceOrthodontics
spellingShingle Fulin Jiang
Abbas Ahmed Abdulqader
Yan Yan
Fangyuan Cheng
Tao Xiang
Jinghong Yu
Juan Li
Yong Qiu
Xin Chen
Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis
Head & Face Medicine
Quantitative cervical vertebral maturation (QCVM)
Lateral cephalogram
Automated landmark location
Artificial intelligence
Orthodontics
title Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis
title_full Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis
title_fullStr Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis
title_full_unstemmed Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis
title_short Deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis
title_sort deep learning based quantitative cervical vertebral maturation analysis
topic Quantitative cervical vertebral maturation (QCVM)
Lateral cephalogram
Automated landmark location
Artificial intelligence
Orthodontics
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13005-025-00498-6
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AT fangyuancheng deeplearningbasedquantitativecervicalvertebralmaturationanalysis
AT taoxiang deeplearningbasedquantitativecervicalvertebralmaturationanalysis
AT jinghongyu deeplearningbasedquantitativecervicalvertebralmaturationanalysis
AT juanli deeplearningbasedquantitativecervicalvertebralmaturationanalysis
AT yongqiu deeplearningbasedquantitativecervicalvertebralmaturationanalysis
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