The Morphometric Study of Lateral Ventricle (Anterior Horn) and Cerebrum by Computerised Tomography

INTRODUCTION: The two major changes that may occur in elderly individual without neurologic deficits is enlargement of ventricles and cortical atrophy. Aim of this morphometric study was to statistically analyze the dimensions of lateral ventricle (anterior horn) in relation to the dimension of surrounding cerebrum (frontal cortex) in humans and also to study the changes that occur during ageing. Ventricular size of males and females was compared. The symmetry of lateral ventricle (anterior horn) on the left and right side was studied. METHOD: The CT images of 112 adult individuals (Age Group 21-60) and 88 ageing individuals (Age above 61) was studied in both males and females. Measurements like greatest height, anterior-posterior diameter and transverse diameter of lateral ventricle (anterior horn) and surrounding cerebrum (frontal cortex) was made by using dicomworks software. RESULT: This study suggests that there is positive co-relation of age with dimensions of lateral ventricle and the volume of the lateral ventricle is enlarged with physiologic ageing. When the symmetry of lateral ventricle (Anterior horn) on the left and right side, it was seen that the dimensions of left were larger than the right. Also there is negative co-relation of age with dimensions of cerebrum and cerebral volume is reduced with age. CONCLUSION: Our study is expected to serve as a guide for proper interpretations of brain images using various imaging modalities. It will also be useful to the clinicians while diagnosing conditions like hydrocephalus, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders