Computer tomographic assessment of the pre- and postoperative ventricle width in patients with traumatic intracranial haematomas

The cellular integrity of the brain tissue is not only disturbed by space occupying traumatic intracranial haematomas but also by traumatic brain tissue damage and the accompanying oedema. Due to the insufficiency of visual inspection, methods for an objective quantification of the ventride width are required. A number of techniques have been used for evaluation of the CSF-space after cerebral trauma. In the present study changes of the ventricle size have been evaluated by using planimetric measurements of CT scans. In 222 patients with traumatic intracranial haematomas significant changes in the ventricle width could be demonstrated when the data were analysed by Wilcoxon signed rank test for pair differences. Comparison of the initial cranial computed tomography (CT) with a CT 14 days later revealed a significant dilatation of the ventricle width in all age groups in the second measurement. When patients were divided into groups with or without signs and symptoms of brainstem alteration after trauma, patients with symptoms of brainstem alteration exhibited a significantly greater ventricle width as compared to patients without such symptoms and signs.