Computed Tomography and Cadaveric Morphometry of the Human Lateral Ventricles: Measurement Techniques, Reliability, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions

Abstract

Background - Accurate morphometric measurement of the lateral ventricles is indispensable in clinical
neurology, neuroradiology, and neurosurgery. Despite decades of application, the field remains characterised
by significant methodological heterogeneity: measurement protocols, landmark definitions, imaging
parameters, and reliability standards vary widely across institutions and published studies, limiting cross-study
comparability and the development of population-specific normative databases. Two fundamental and
complementary measurement modalities computed tomography (CT)-based radiological morphometry and
direct cadaveric dissection-based measurement each offer distinct advantages and limitations that remain
incompletely characterised in a systematic comparative framework.
Objective - To critically review the methodological foundations, reliability, accuracy, clinical applications, and
comparative performance of CT-based and cadaveric morphometric methods for lateral ventricular
measurement, and to propose a standardised measurement protocol suitable for future multicenter normative
studies.