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Developmental changes in the posterior cranial fossa of children studied by CT
P Prassopoulos1, D Cavouras, S Golfinopoulos
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Medical School of Crete, Iraklion, Greece.
Insights
This study establishes normative data for the posterior cranial fossa (PF) in children using brain CT scans. Findings reveal rapid PF growth in early childhood, with consistent volume ratios relative to the supratentorial cavity (SC).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroimaging
- Cranial Anatomy
Background:
- Establishing normative data for cranial structures is crucial for diagnosing pediatric neurological conditions.
- The posterior cranial fossa (PF) undergoes significant development in early childhood.
- Previous studies have not comprehensively detailed normative PF volumes and dimensions in children via CT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normative volumetric and linear measurements of the posterior cranial fossa (PF) in children using brain CT.
- To assess the growth patterns of the PF and its constituent structures during childhood.
- To provide reference data for evaluating morphological alterations in the pediatric PF.
Main Methods:
- Review of 181 brain CT examinations in children with no abnormal findings.
- Volumetric assessment of the PF and supratentorial cavity (SC) by summing CT cross-sectional areas.
- Linear measurements of key PF structures: cerebellum, vermis, brain stem, and fourth ventricle.
Main Results:
- The PF exhibits rapid growth during the first three years of life, with slower growth thereafter.
- All measured PF structures demonstrated a positive correlation with total PF volume.
- PF volume increased in parallel with SC volume, maintaining a relatively constant PF/SC volume ratio throughout childhood.
Conclusions:
- Normative data for pediatric PF volume and dimensions were established using CT.
- The PF/SC volume ratio remains stable, suggesting coordinated growth of intracranial compartments.
- These normative data are valuable for CT-based diagnosis of pediatric PF diseases with morphological changes.
Abstract:
We reviewed 181 brain CT examinations, with no abnormal findings, to determine normative data for the posterior cranial fossa (PF) in children. The volume of the PF and the supratentorial cranial cavity (SC) was assessed by summing consecutive CT cross-sectional areas. Linear measurements of the PF structures-cerebellum, vermis, brain stem and fourth ventricle were also performed. The PF grows rapidly during the first 3 years of life and thereafter a smaller increase in size is observed. All the PF structures showed a positive correlation with the PF volume. The PF volume increased in parallel with that of the SC and the PF/SC volume ratio remained relatively constant during childhood. The establishment of normative data for the volume of the PF and its contents may be of value in the CT study of diseases associated with morphological alterations in the PF.