Optimisation of Clinical measuring procedure for the fourth Ventricle size of Human Brain using Computed Tomography technique for Clinical application

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques have contributed immensely in resolving the challenges of volumetric measurement of body organs, which are essential in diagnosis of pathological conditions. Visualization of the size and shape of the ventricles have therefore become a reality with CT scan, thereby aiding clinicians to diagnose complex neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to optimised clinical measuring procedure of the fourth ventricle of the human brain to determine the normal size and shape using voxel-count method as a baseline reference data for clinical application. The materials used include the CT scanner and retrospective image data. MeVisLab measuring tool was used to measure the linear dimensions (width, length and thickness), whilst the voxel count method was used to estimate the volume of the fourth ventricle. The results showed that the values for the age groups 61-70, 51-60, 41-50, 31-40 and 21-30 were 99.63 mm, 99.00 mm, 98.29 mm, 97.86 mm and 96.40 mm respectively. It was observed that age group 61- 70 had the largest predictor and 21-30 being the smallest. The study established values of ventricular volume for gender and specific age groups which served as baseline reference data for standard reference ventricular dimensions for use in clinical practice in Ghana for neurological disorders.