Measurement of Brain Ventricles Using Multidetector Computed Tomography: A Prospective Study at TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Nepal

Introduction: Cerebral ventricular morphometry via multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is pivotal for evaluating neurological pathologies such as hydrocephalus and neurodegenerative disorders. Age- and gender-specific normative data are essential to differentiate pathological enlargement from physiological aging, yet population-specific benchmarks, particularly in South Asian cohorts, remain scarce. This study aimed to measure the size of the brain ventricles using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to evaluate the relationship of ventricular dimensions with age and gender. Methods: This prospective study analyzed 206 adults (18–90 years) with normal brain MDCT scans using a 128-slice Siemens scanner. Ventricular parameters (third/fourth ventricles, lateral ventricles) and ratios to pons/cerebellum were measured on 5 mm axial images. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s correlation and t-tests. Results: Males exhibited larger third ventricle width (0.38±0.20 cm vs. 0.32±0.12 cm, p=0.01) and fourth ventricle width (1.33±0.20 cm vs. 1.22±0.19 cm, p<0.001). Ventricular parameters correlated moderately with age (third ventricle: r=0.57, p<0.001), while pons (r=0.08) and cerebellum (r=0.02) showed negligible correlations. Gender differences were insignificant for fourth ventricle height (p=0.05) and fourth ventricle-to-pons ratio (p=0.18). Conclusions: Ventricular dimensions, particularly the third ventricle, increase with age and show gender-based differences. These findings provide baseline CT morphometric data valuable for diagnosing age-related and pathological brain changes in the Nepalese population.