Evaluation of the Brain Indexes of Subjects with and without Brain Atrophy Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

Introduction: This study was undertaken to determine the values of brain indexes using computed tomography (CT) in our population. Material and Methods: This study was carried out on the 520 senior subjects (196 subjects having brain atrophy and 324 subjects having no brain atrophy) aged 60–90 years. Measurements of the brain indexes were taken from subjects having axial brain CT image in the radiology department. Furthermore, the data were analyzed according to age and gender. Results: The means and standard deviations of the measurements were as follows: the maximum distance between anterior horns, 37.35 ± 3.76 mm; minimum bicaudate nuclei distance, 20.76 ± 3.78 mm; maximum internal skull diameter, 135.66 ± 6.51 mm; maximum internal diameter of the frontal bone, 103.23 ± 6.23; internal skull diameter measured along the same line, 116.28 ± 6.60 mm; maximum external diameter of the skull, 144.08 ± 5.93 mm; and cella media width, 35.88 ± 6.93 mm; and the indices were calculated and found as follows: Huckman number, 58.11 ± 6.99 mm; bifrontal index, 0.36 ± 0.03; bicaudate frontal index, 0.55 ± 0.07; bicaudate index, 0.18 ± 0.03; bicaudate temporal index, 0.15 ± 0.03; and Schiersmann's index (SI), 4.22 ± 1.16 in subjects having brain atrophy. The same values were measured as 32.28 ± 3.19 mm; 15.32 ± 3.05 mm; 133.67 ± 6.71 mm; 102.05 ± 6.13 mm; 113.12 ± 6.04 mm; 141.14 ± 6.12 mm; 28.92 ± 5.79 mm; 47.59 ± 5.63 mm; 0.32 ± 0.03; 0.47 ± 0.08; 0.14 ± 0.03; 0.11 ± 0.02; and 5.09 ± 1.13 in healthy elderly subjects, respectively. There was a significant difference in all measurements (except SI) (P < 0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: The brain index dimensions of Turkish population provide important and useful knowledge for the clinicians in terms of comparison of abnormalities and atrophy of the brain.