Cerebral ventricular size in children: a two-dimensional ultrasonic study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric neuroimaging
• Diagnostic ultrasound
• Neuroanatomy

Background:

• Accurate measurement of ventricular size is crucial for diagnosing pediatric neurological conditions.
• B-mode echography is a valuable tool for non-invasive assessment of brain structures in children.
• Establishing normative data for ventricular dimensions is essential for interpreting findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normal measurements for the lateral ventricular bodies in children using B-mode echography.
• To define the normal lateral ventricular ratio (LVR) and its variations with age.
• To assess the utility of LVR in identifying potential early hydrocephalus.

Main Methods:

• B-mode echography was performed on 833 children across different age groups (0-12 years).
• Measurements included the width of the lateral ventricles and internal skull diameter to calculate the LVR.
• Comparison of LVR with head circumference percentiles was conducted.

Main Results:

• Accurate measurements were achieved in 99.9% of children under 2, 94% aged 2-5, and 65% aged 6-12.
• The normal LVR range was determined to be 0.24-0.36, with values of 0.34-0.36 indicating a borderline area potentially associated with early hydrocephalus.
• Normal transverse diameters for the lateral ventricle atrium and third ventricle were established at 10 mm and 5 mm, respectively.
• A water-delay system demonstrated superiority over a contact system for B-mode echoencephalography.

Conclusions:

• The study provides normative LVR data for pediatric B-mode echography, aiding in the diagnosis of ventricular abnormalities.
• The upper range of the LVR (0.34-0.36) warrants careful consideration for potential early hydrocephalus.
• Optimized B-mode echoencephalography techniques, such as using a water-delay system, enhance diagnostic accuracy in children.