Anatomical study of size variability of temporal and occipital horns of lateral ventricles of human brain: MRI study

Abstract

Introduction and Aims: The lateral ventricles lies in each cerebral hemisphere with its three horns and body. The study of normal and variant anatomy of ventricles of brain is very useful for clinicians and neurosurgeons in their routine practice. This study is directed to look for the changes in size of occipital and temporal horn of lateral ventricle as per age and sex of brain by MRI study. Materials and Methods: MRI scan of 55 patients (25 females and 30 males) with age ranging from 1yr to 90 years were studied and the diameter of occipital and temporal horns were measured. Data was analyzed with respect to age and sex of individuals. Results: It was observed that mean diameter of both horns decreases from1yr to 10yr age group and increases from then to advancing age. No significant gender difference in dimensions of both the horns of lateral ventricle was observed. Conclusion: The present study showed that the age factor is responsible for change in the size of occipital and temporal horns of lateral ventricle. The present study will be helpful to radiologist and neurosurgeons to differentiate the enlarged size of occipital and temporal horns by aging from that of other pathological conditions. Keywords: Lateral ventricle, Occipital horn, Temporal horn.