Interindividual variability of cranioencephalic relationships as predicted by CT.
To validate a procedure assembling CT scans in a three-dimensional (3D) array, the interindividual variability of cranioencephalic relationships, as estimated by our technique, was compared with that of the normal population. To this purpose the position of the habenulopineal complex (HPC) with respect to skull references was investigated in 41 normal subjects. In particular the x, y, and z, coordinates of individual HPCs were determined after each CT was assembled in a 3D multislice array. Thereafter, distances of the HPC from the frontal and occipital poles, the vault, and the base of the skull were measured and compared with the anatomicoradiological norms. From our estimates the distances of the HPC from both the frontal pole and the vault of the skull proved to vary as a function of the maximal skull diameter with no distortion of cranioencephalic relationships. The proposed assembling method can be regarded as a reliable tool for a quantitative evaluation of data collected from CT or other reconstructive tomography techniques in anatomicoclinical studies. This method enables a generalized (i.e., not confined to neurosurgical procedures) application of stereotactic principles.
Tartaglione
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Clinica Neurologica, Università di Genova, Italy.
Martinoli
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O
Uccelli
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Vignolo
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M
Favale
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D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed