Morphometric Analysis of Fourth Ventricular System of Human Brain: by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Dissection Method

Introduction: The ventricular system is a predictor of brain development and a signifier of neurodevelopmental outcome. The fourth ventricle enlarges in various conditions like hydrocephalus, dementias etc. So, it is necessary to know the normal range of dimensions of fourth ventricle. Very few studies of Assamese population are available on fourth ventricle comparing the parameters in dissection and radiological methods.

Aim: The present study was conducted to determine any difference in the measurements of the fourth ventricle between formalin-fixed brain specimens and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans in our population.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India. 127 formalin-fixed cadaveric brain specimens were used to measure the height and width of fourth ventricle. Additionally, MRI scans of 35 patients were used to measure the same parameters.

Results: The fourth ventricular mean width of 127 cadaveric brain specimens was 25.49 mm with standard deviation of 6.10 and the mean height was 26.94 mm with standard deviation of 6.12. The fourth ventricular mean width (at the level of lateral recess) in MRI was 20.99 mm with standard deviation of 4.59 and the mean height was 24.15 mm with standard deviation of 4.58.

Conclusion: In the present study, the measurements of 4th ventricle showed sexual dimorphism as male gender had predominance over female in both dissection and MRI procedures. The findings obtained from formalin fixed brains in dissection method showed greater measurements than MRI method for the parameters of fourth ventricle