Morphological Variation of Third Ventricle Using Computerized Tomography among Different Gender and Age Groups: A 5-Year Retrospective Study in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital; Sokoto; North - West Nigeria

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

Accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery: report on three cadaveric cases from Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria and review of literature

Background: The superior mesenteric artery may be the source of the common hepatic; gastroduodenal; accessory right hepatic; accessory pancreatic or splenic arteries.Objective: To present three cases of accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery in black African cadavers as found during routine cadaveric dissections.Materials and Method: The abdomens of 8 adult male black African cadavers were dissected according to the description and guidance by Romanes (1996). The superior mesenteric arteries; liver (especially the visceral surfaces); gall bladders; cystic ducts; portal veins and gastroduodenal arteries were exposed.Results: Three cadaveric cases of the accessory right hepatic arteries arising from the superior mesenteric arteries were observed. One of the cases was noticed to give a cystic branch.Conclusion: Since there are no Nigerian studies on the accessory right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery; these reports might contribute useful data to the literature regarding the same

Plain radiographic cephalometry of the sella turcica: an overview

Background: The simplest of the parameters in anthropometry; including; height; weight; length; thickness and widths of various parts of the body vary from tribe to tribe and from one race to the other; and measurements of these parameters also differ amongst different age groups and between the two sexes as well. Method: A review composed via Medline Internet search; literature search and contributions from our experiences as well as experiences from colleagues. Results: Studies on measurements of the Sella turcica have revealed variations in the size of the fossa with certain parameters such as age; sex e.t.c. Conclusion: It is concluded that complete study of the Sella turcica requires multidirectional tomography