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

Abstract

The width of both lateral ventricle bodies was studied in 833 children using B-mode echography. It could be accurately measured in 99.9% of those under the age of 2, 94% of those 2-5 and 65% of those 6-12. The normal lateral ventricular ratio (LVR; width of body of LV/0.5 .times. internal skull diameter) was 0.24-0.36, but there was a borderline area; the upper part of this range (0.34-0.36) included cases of early hydrocephalus. In 72% of the children with a head circumference greater than the 98th percentile, the LVR was 0.24-0.36. The greatest transverse atrium diameter of the normal lateral ventricle in children appears to be 10 mm, that of the normal 3rd ventricle, 5 min. A water-delay system is described as being superior to a contact system for B-mode echoencephalography.