Predictive potential of cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) in schizophrenics, alcoholics and persons with past head trauma. A post-mortem study.

Abstract

The increased presence of cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) was reported among people suffering from schizophrenia, alcoholism or it could be a remnant of an old head trauma. We have tried to compare not only prevalences, but also lengths, widths and depths of the obtained cava in an effort to emphasize the importance of linear parameters in routine diagnostics. On 479 cadavers, 310 male and 169 female, aged 22 to 89; 110 brains had a CSP: 40 persons had no data about prior neuropsychiatric disease, 25 were schizophrenics, 25 alcoholics and 20 received a serious head blow during their lifetime. The prevalence of CSP in the entire group was 22.96%; among normal persons 10.61%; in schizophrenics 83.33%, in alcoholics 58.14 % and in persons with sustained prior head trauma 68.96%. There was a statistically significant difference in ratings, lengths and widths of CSP between schizophrenics, alcoholics, head traumatized and normals. Both length and width were revealed as parameters of importance for CSP selection. CSP is more frequent, longer and wider in persons who are suffering from schizophrenia, alcohol addicts and those who had sustained one or several head blows in the past. Its linear parameters are advisable to be measured.