Morphometric study of the third ventricle and thalamus by computerized tomography

Introduction: The third ventricle is a midline, slit-like cavity which is derived from the primitive forebrain vesicle, lying in the sagittal plane below the fornix and the corpus callosum. Much of the upper part of the lateral wall is occupied by the thalamus, that bulges convexly into the ventricle. The cerebral ventricular system acts as a marker of brain development and a predictor of neurodevelopmental outcomes. The thalamus is the gateway to the cerebral cortex. Virtually all sensory systems pass through the thalamus on their way to the cerebral cortex, and in turn, each part of the thalamus receives projections from the cortical area to which it projects. Materials and Methods: For the study, cranial computed tomography scans of 180 patients were studied. Anteroposterior diameter and transverse diameter of the third ventricle, thalamus, and intracranial cavity were measured and were compared with males and females of the studied population, and it was statistically analyzed. Results: The study showed an increase in the mean third ventricular anteroposterior and transverse diameter as age advances in the three age groups studied. There was no significant correlation in the anteroposterior or transverse diameter of the cranial cavity between the three age groups studied. Both anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the cranial cavity were larger in males when compared with females. Conclusion: The study in Indian adults is on morphometry of the third ventricle and thalamus by computerized tomography might help clinicians and radiologists to diagnose the pathologies ruling out the confronting effect of aging in third ventricular and thalamic dimensions. The study might also help in defining the age-specific third ventricular and thalamic diameters in the South Indian population.