Magnetic resonance-based evaluation of ventricular indices in South Indian population and its clinical implications

Enlargement of the ventricular system of the brain is usually seen physiologically in aged people and in various neurodegenerative disorders. Although ventricular enlargement is assessed clinically, it is highly subjective. To overcome this, the ventricular indices can be used, as evaluating the indices are relatively easy and less time-consuming. Hence, we aimed at evaluating the ventricular indices using MRI. Around 150 MRI images were studied retrospectively. The bicaudate ratio was calculated as the minimum intercaudate distance and diameter of the brain at same level, and the bifrontal ratio was calculated as the maximum distance between the frontal tip and the diameter of the skull at same level. The Evans index was calculated as the ratio between the frontal horn tip and the widest diameter of skull. The bioccipital index was calculated as the widest distance between the occipital horn and the diameter of the skull at the same level; and the cella media ratio was calculated between the narrowest width between the lateral wall of the lateral ventricle and the diameter of the skull at the same level. The indices were calculated using these reference points in MRI in the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). The difference in indices between gender and age groups were estimated. A statistically significant difference between genders was found for all indices except the bioccipital and the bicaudate index. Similarly, a statistically significant difference between genders was found for all indices except the cella media and bicaudate index. Thus, the results of the present study would help the neurologist, psychiatrist, neurosurgeons and radiologists in quick diagnosis and follow-up of various neurological disorders.