The volume fraction of brain ventricles to total brain volume: a computed tomography stereological study

This study has been designed to estimate the volume fraction of the brain ventricles volume to total brain volume and to correlate them with gender and age in normal subjects. Cranial computed tomography (CT) images of 80 normally evaluated subjects (five female and five male for each decade) were selected from 1,073 CT examinations. The volumes of total brain, cerebral aqueduct, fourth, third, and lateral ventricles and their ratios were estimated using the Cavalieri method and volume fraction-stereological methods. The ratio of total brain ventricle volume to total brain volume was comparable between the two genders (p > 0.05, independent t test). Mean volume fraction of total ventricle volume to total brain volume was found to be 1.21% in the first and 3.37% in the last decades. Mean volume fraction was found to increase significantly with age (p < 0.01, r = 0.630, Pearson). In conclusion, the mean percentage of total ventricle volume within the total brain volume was found to be 2%. We demonstrated the volume fraction of total ventricle to total brain in normal subjects. Total ventricle volume to total brain volume fractions can be important tools in determining ventricle volumes, which denote variability in some diseases (Alzheimer, schizophrenia, neurodegenerative disorders, etc.) and can be estimated by stereological methods. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 4: 193–200)