MR imaging features of hydrocephalus

This paper compares the midsagittal dimensions of the third and lateral ventricles on MR images in cases of known hydrocephalus and atrophy. Cranial MR studies of 55 age-matched patients, 21 with known hydrocephalus and 28 with atrophy were retrospectively reviewed. Measurements of the genu-to-splenium diameter (G-S) and anterior commissure to corpus callosum distance (AC-CC) were obtained. A volumetric index (VI) was calculated as (G-S) x (AC-CC), and a ratio was calculated as (AC-CC)/(G-S). The volumetric index (VI) was 22% larger in the hydrocephalus group (Student two-tail t test, P > .001,t = -4.23). Sixty-two percent of hydrocephalus patients had either ratios greater than 56% or VIs of a least 20 cm2