A Computerized Axial Tomographic Study on the Measurements of Cerebral Ventricles and Sulci in Chronic Alcoholics

The authors measured the lateral & 3rd ventricles and cortical sulci in computerized axial tomographic films of 15 male patients with chronic alcoholism and 16 controls, who had been admitted to Kyng Hee University Hospital from Jan. 1, 1979 to Mar. 31, 1983. The results were as following: 1. The average age of patients was 47.5 yrs., and that of conntrols was 34.5 yrs. The average duration of habitual drinking was 11.6 yrs., and complicated with delirium tremens, head trauma, liver diseases (46.7% each other) and seizure (33.3%). 2. The sulcal widening was found in 9 cases (60.0%) of patients (mean +/- S.D. = 6.7 +/- 1.76mm) and no cases in control group (mean +/- S.D. = 2.3 +/- 0.88mm). The difference between patients and control group was statistically significant, especially in twenties (P<0.05). 3. The lateral ventricular enlargement was seen in 12 cases (80.0%) of patients (mean +/- S.D. = 17.1 +/- 0.93mm), and 8 cases (50.0%) of control group (mean +/- S.D. = 14.7+/- 1.46mm). There was statistical significance, especially in forties (P<0.05). There were no statistical significance except cella media index (P<0.05), according to various measuring indices. The width of 3rd ventricle was 1.88 +/- 0.152mm (mean+/-S.D.) in patients and 1.12+/-0.311mm (mean +/- S.D.) in control group. And the difference was statistically significant. 4. Cerebral atrophy was noticed in 10 cases (67.0%) among 15 taken C.A.T. of brain.

A Study on the Seizures in Chronic Alcoholics

The authors reported and reviewed 7 cases of seizures among 53 chronic alcoholics who had been hospitalized in Kyung Hee University Hospital from Jan. 1, 1979 to Mar. 31, 1983. Case 1 was considered to be alcohol withdrawal seizure (so called "rum fit") in terms of it's clinical and laboratory findings. And other 6 cases, which had no past history of epilepsy and had been drinking alcoholic beverages for 9.6 years on the average before the appearances of seizures, were considered to belong to alcoholinduced seizures.