ABSTRACT
Background: Many methods have been described for measurements of the third ventricle as a means of evaluating brain atrophy during the normal aging process and disease. Enlargement of the cerebral ventricles is one of the most frequently replicated neurobiological findings in schizophrenia. The aim of this morphological study was to examine the range in the normal size of the third ventricle of individuals living in Sokoto and to assess its association with gender and age. Materials and Methods: All available brain CT in the Radiology Department of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto; Nigeria; from 2007 to 2012 (a 5-year period) and reported as normal by the radiologist were recruited for the study. Films were viewed on the computer monitor. Measurements were made with Dragon V 3.1.1 Philips and Neusoft Medical System Company Limited software; the software provides a meter rule with which measurements were done. Results: A total of 252 CT scan images where used in the study. Of this number; 156 (61.9) were CT scan images of males and 96 (38.1) were CT scan images of females. The mean width was 8.38 mm and mean anteroposterior length was 12.16 mm. These differences were statistically significant; P = 0.0209 (0.05). Conclusion: Our findings provide a base line data for the measurement of the third ventricles using CT scans in our environment and this may be applied in various clinical conditions involving the third ventricle
Subject(s)
Hospitals , Retrospective Studies , Teaching , Third Ventricle , TomographyABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Globally, millions of rodents are used for various researches annually. These animals must be euthanised with a minimum of physical and mental suffering. We describe intramedully injection of air as safe, reliable and humane method of euthanasia for rodents. Design: A prospective study of the effectiveness of intramedullary injection of air was conducted on thirty six Wister rats in the histology laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria between April to October 2004. Methodology: Thirty six pregnant Wister rats were euthanised by injecting 1ml of air into the medulla through foramen magnum. The time lag between the intramedullary injection of air and achievement of adequate euthanasia was documented for each rat using a stop watch. Results: Out of thirty six rats euthanised through intramedullary injection of air, thirty (83.3%) rats died within 10 seconds after the injection and the remaining 6(16.7%) rats died within 20 seconds after the injection. Conclusion: Intramedullary injection of air is effective, cheap, reliable and humane method of euthanasia in small rodents and requires inexpensive personnel training and is therefore advocated for use in small laboratory animals