Measurements of Normal Cerebral Ventricles in Adults in Erbil, Iraq, Based on Computerized Tomography

Introduction: The measurement of cerebral ventricle size is crucial for diagnosing and differentiating early stages of abnormal ventricular dilatation. This study aimed to establish a reference database for normal cerebral ventricle sizes in adults in Erbil, considering different age groups and genders. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Erbil from January 2022 to December 2024. Computerized tomography (CT) scans of 173 adults (83 males and 90 females) aged 18–99 years underwent analysis. The dimensions of ventricles were measured using a Siemens CT scanner, and the Evans index (EI) was calculated. Measurements were verified by two independent radiologists. Results: The mean age of participants was 37.79±17.433 years. The mean measurements for the third ventricle, fourth ventricle, and EI across all individuals were 3.980±1.773 mm, 11.432±1.834 mm, and 0.247±0.022, respectively. The highest mean values for the third and fourth ventricles and EI were observed in the age group of 60–79.9 years, with measurements of 6.684±1.853 mm, 11.732±1.430 mm, and 0.249±0.024 for the third ventricle, the fourth ventricle, and the EI, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean values of the third and fourth ventricles and EI based on gender or age groups (P≥0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that the measurements of the third and fourth ventricles were higher in men than in women, and the ventricular volume increased with age up to 80 years. The EI remained within the normal range for all subjects except one, and there were no significant differences between men and women or among different age groups.