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Volume determinations of the encephalic ventricles with CT and MRI

Mesure du volume des ventricules cérébraux

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Summary

The volume of the encephalic ventricles was determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Since there are many conditions in which the encephalic ventricles become enlarged such as Alzheimer's disease and hydrocephalus, accurate measurement of the ventricles provides a valuable and safe means of aiding the diagnosis of such conditions and also provides important follow-up information in affected patients. The objective was pursued in a three phase study. This paper presents the data obtained from the first phase. This first phase demonstrated the possibility of measuring fluid filled spaces by MRI in three phantom preparations (small, medium, and large “ventricles”). The results were compared with those obtained from computerized tomography (CT) scans of the same preparations. These volumetric calculations were done with the aid of a Calcomp 9,000 digital analyzer programmed to compensate for the scale factor and slice thickness of the images. The phantom study showed that the results obtained from the MRI scans were better than those obtained from the CT scans in measuring the volume of water-filled cavities (ventricles) in gelatin phantoms. The average percent difference between volumes obtained by an imaging procedure compared to the actual volume as determined by water displacement was 15.8% for CT scanning and a more impressive 8.3% for MRI.

Résumé

Le volume des ventricules cérébraux a été mesuré à partir d'explorations en résonance magnétique. Il existe de nombreuses conditions pathologiques qui peuvent provoquer un élargissement ventriculaire, telles que la maladie d'Alzheimer et l'hydrocéphalie. La mesure précise de la taille des ventricules peut être d'importance pour le diagnostic de ces affections. Elle fournit également d'excellents critères de surveillance des patients porteurs de telles maladies. Notre objectif a été poursuivi au cours d'études séparées en 3 parties. Ce travail rapporte les résultats obtenus durant la première phase de cette étude. Celle-ci démontre qu'il est possible de mesurer les espaces liquidiens en IRM sur 3 fantômes ventriculaires (cavités petites, moyennes et larges). Les résultats ont été comparés avec ceux obtenus en examen tomodensitométrique des mêmes préparations. Des calculs volumétriques ont été obtenus à l'aide d'un analyseur numérique Calcomp 9 000 programmé pour corriger les facteurs d'agrandissement et les épaisseurs de coupe. L'étude des résultats des mesures de volume des cavités ventriculaires obtenus sur ces fantômes démontre que ceux-ci sont plus précis en coupes IRM qu'en coupes tomodensitométriques. La différence moyenne entre ces volumes obtenus en imagerie et les volumes réels calculés par mesure d'espaces liquidiens était de 15,8 % pour les coupes scanographiques et 8,3 % pour l'IRM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National College of Chiropractic, 200 East Roosevelt Road, 60148, Lombard, Illinois, USA

    G. D. Cramer

  2. Department of Biology, North Georgia College, 30597, Dahlonega, Georgia, USA

    D. I. Allen

  3. Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Ohio, POB 10008, 43699, Toledo, Ohio, USA

    L. J. A. DiDio

Authors
  1. G. D. Cramer
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  2. D. I. Allen
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  3. L. J. A. DiDio
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Cramer, G.D., Allen, D.I. & DiDio, L.J.A. Volume determinations of the encephalic ventricles with CT and MRI. Surg Radiol Anat 12, 59–64 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02094127

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02094127

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