Ageing changes of morphological characteristics of cavum septi pellucidi in adults: a dissectional study

In this study we wanted to investigate whether prevalence, number of symptomatic cava and its parameters, its width, length and surface on the axial slices change in the function of ageing. We reviewed 145 fresh brains with cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) from persons aged 22 to 89 (mean 57.44 +/- 15.37) divided in three groups aged 21-40 (group I), 41 to 60 (group II) and older than 61 (group III). Prevalence does not differ much in all the groups: 32.62% in group I, 28.24% and 29.12% in groups II and III. Cava in group I were most frequently connected with schizophrenia (11 cases), in group II with alcoholism and in group III with prior head trauma. Symptomatic cava had significantly higher frequency in group III in 95% cases and in two others less than 50%. Mean widths (+/- SD) in group I, II and III were: 5.21 +/- 1.12 mm, 5.23 +/- 1.33 mm and 4.29 +/- 1.28 mm, respectively. Mean lengths were: 6.6 +/- 2.02, 6.2 +/- 2.54 and 5.9 +/- 1.82 mm. Surface areas were decreasing with ageing: 19.16 +/- 5.83 mm2 to 12.31 +/- 4.12 mm2. However, all revealed differences were not statistically significant. Cavum septi pellucidi itself does not change significantly during ageing, but it points out to some diseases and disturbances. Its appearance in all adults ought to be a warning sign, especially in persons older than 60, but it should not be neglected in other life periods, as well.