Morphometric Analysis of Lateral Ventricles of the Brain using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Dissection Method: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The lateral ventricle, which is the largest among all ventricles of the brain, can be divided into the frontal horn, body, posterior horn, and inferior horn. Various methodologies may produce different results in measuring the length of the lateral ventricle. Aim: To determine whether there are any differences in the lengths of the lateral ventricle when measured using formalin-fixed brain specimens and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to March 2019 in the Department of Anatomy at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam, India. A total of 127 formalin-fixed cadaveric brain specimens were used to measure the lengths of different parts of the lateral ventricle using a Vernier Calliper. Additionally, MRI scans of 35 patients were used to measure the same lengths. The mean values of the lateral ventricle lengths measured in formalin-fixed brain specimens and MRI scans were compared using Student’s t-test to determine statistical significance. Furthermore, variations in the lengths of the lateral ventricle according to age and gender were also measured using MRI. Results: Among the 127 brain specimens, 78 were from male brains and 49 were from female brains. Out of the 35 MRI scans, 23 were from male cases and 12 were from female cases. The average length of the frontal horn, body, and inferior horn was found to be greater in MRI scans (34.83 mm, 54.37 mm, and 51.09 mm, respectively) compared to the dissection method in cadavers (30.64 mm, 35.49 mm, and 42.29 mm, respectively). All parts of the lateral ventricle measured in MRI scans were found to have greater lengths in males, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: A significant difference was observed when comparing the lengths of the lateral ventricle measured in MRI scans and formalin-fixed cadaveric brain specimens.