Age- and gender-related changes in cerebral ventricle parameters during the pediatric period

Aim: This study focused on investigating age- and gender-related changes in the brain ventricles of healthy pediatric individuals. Methods: Brain MR images of 200 healthy children aged 0-18 years were included in the study. The variables measured were as follows: axis of the third ventricle (ATV), anterior width of the frontal horn (ACF), posterior width of the frontal horn (PCF), width of the frontal horn (WCF), oblique diameter of the frontal horn (OCF), maximum transverse diameter of the skull (MTDS), vertical diameter of the skull (VDS), anteroposterior width of the right temporal horn (ARCT), anteroposterior width of the left temporal horn (ALCT), anteroposterior width of the fourth ventricle (AFV), transverse width of the fourth ventricle (TFV). In addition, the Evans index (EI) has been calculated. Results: Statistically significant results were found between the individuals of the first, second and fourth groups for the ACF and PCF variables; the fourth group for the WCF, VDS, and TFV variables; the first and fourth groups for ARCT; the first group for ALCT; and the third and fourth groups for MTDS. In the pediatric period, while there was no significant difference between the genders until a certain age, it was observed that the difference between the genders increased especially after a certain age (between 7-18 years). Conclusion: It is thought that the study will provide basic data for clinical sciences in the stages of diagnosis and treatment planning.