author = {Hamidu, Ahmed. and David, Solomon. and Olarinoye-Akorede, Sefiya. and Danborno, Barnabas. and Jimoh, Abdullahi. and Fatai, Olaniyan.}, title = {{Third and Fourth Cerebral Ventricular Sizes among Normal Adults in Zaria-Nigeria}}, journal ={Sub-Saharan African Journal of Medicine}, volume ={2}, number ={2}, pages = {89-92}, doi = {10.4103/2384-5147.157432}, year = {2015}, abstract ={Introduction: The cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles could be in excess or markedly reduced, and these could be the only sign of an intracranial or intraventricular disease. The linear dimensions of the 3 rd and 4 th cerebral ventricles are key to some of these findings. The practice of using the reviewer's experience or observing a change in the shape of the ventricles can be very subjective, hence the need for normal values. Objective: To establish linear dimensions of the 3 rd and 4 th cerebral ventricles among normal adults in Zaria using computer tomography. Materials and Methods: Axial computerized tomographic brain scans of the 488 normal subjects reviewed were acquired during a 3 year period (2009-2012) using a multi-slice GE Sigma excite scanner in our department, and the images were reviewed retrospectively. We obtained the widest linear dimensions of the 3 rd and 4 th cerebral ventricles using the in-built linear calipers of the computer tomography (CT) scan machine for each patient. Statistical analysis was performed using Sigmastat 2.0 for Windows (Statsoft, San Rafael, CA). The following statistical tests employed: students t-test and analysis of variance, and a probability level of <0.001 taken as statistically significant. Results: The 488 brain CT scans analyzed for this study comprised of 319 (65.36%) males and 169 (34.63%) females. The ages ranged from 18 to 84 years with a mean age of 37.26 years. The age difference between males and females were statistically significant. The mean 3 rd ventricular widths were 4.23 ± 1.25 and 3.81 ± 0.87 in males and females respectively, whereas the mean 4 th ventricular widths were, 7.87 ± 1.30 and 7.54 ± 1.33, in males and females, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, we have established normal linear values for the 3 rd and 4 th cerebral ventricles in Zaria using computed tomography. These values could serve as a quick reference for radiologists and neurosurgeons, obviating the need for advanced software packages, which may not be readily available.}, URL ={https://www.ssajm.org/article.asp?issn=2384-5147;year=2015;volume=2;issue=2;spage=89;epage=92;aulast=Hamidu;t=6}, eprint ={https://www.ssajm.org/article.asp?issn=2384-5147;year=2015;volume=2;issue=2;spage=89;epage=92;aulast=Hamidu;t=6} }