Investigation of total cerebellar and flocculonodular lobe volume in Parkinson's disease and healthy individuals: a brain segmentation study.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with an unexplored link to the cerebellum. In the pathophysiology of balance disorders in PD, the role of the flocculonodular lobe (FL) is linked to the impairment of the dopaminergic system. Dopamine deficiency can also lead to changes in cerebellum functions, disrupting balance control. This study compares cerebellar and FL volumes between healthy controls (HC) and PD patients, analyzing their correlation with clinical outcomes. METHODS: We used magnetic resonance images of 23 PD patients (14 male, 9 female) and 24 HC (9 male, 15 female). Intracranial (ICV), total cerebellar, FL, and cerebellar gray matter volumes were measured using VolBrain. Clinical outcomes in PD patients were assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) to evaluate motor function, with scores correlated to volumetric data. RESULTS: The cerebellar and gray matter volumes in HC were 115.53 ± 10.44 cm3 and 84.83 ± 7.76 cm3, respectively, compared to 126.83 ± 13.47 cm3 and 92.37 ± 9.45 cm3 in PD patients, indicating significantly larger volumes in PD patients (p < 0.05). The flocculonodular lobe gray matter volume was 1.14 ± 0.19 cm3 in PD patients and 1.02 ± 0.13 cm3 in HC, but there was a significant increase in gray matter volume in PD patients between the groups (p < 0.05). In PD patients, significant negative correlations were observed between FL volume and the UPDRS-III scores (r = - 0.467, p = 0.033) and between UPDRS-III scores and both total (r = - 0.453, p = 0.039) and normalized (r = - 0.468, p = 0.032) gray matter volumes of the FL. CONCLUSION: Although total gray matter volumes were larger in PD patients, the volumes of FL did not differ between groups. In Parkinson's disease, increased cerebellar volume may regulate fine motor movements rather than balance.

Conductometric Flexible CuO-Based Sweat-Loss Monitoring Sensor for Future Wearable Technology in Healthcare.

Healthcare tracking supports early diagnosis of illnesses, real-time tracking of the impacts of therapy and treatment, and tracking of cases of human health. Based on this, real-time tracking of sweat loss provides an easy, convenient, and noninvasive approach to the early diagnosis of physical illness in individuals. To date, copper oxide (CuO) as a nanostructured semiconductor metal-oxide is regarded as a hopefully p-type sensing material. The corresponding sweat rate monitoring systems were fabricated using a repeatable and cost-effective SILAR system using a cellulose acetate-based organic substrate. To provide a practical application, we investigated the working efficiency of Al:CuO under room conditions since most clinical and healthcare industries operate under ambient temperature. Fabricated flexible devices immediately respond to the implementation of the sweat solution and reach a steady-state value in a short time. It can be obtained from experimental results that the sweat-loss monitoring performances of CuO-based devices can be enhanced by employing Al-doping. The increment in the sensing efficacy was interpreted in terms of structural and morphological characterization and electrical data. Our designed flexible thin film-based system can be used in conjunction with a customized wearable, healthcare industry integrated, low-cost fabrication source.

Nanostructured CuO Thin-Film-Based Conductometric Sensors for Real-Time Tracking of Sweat Loss.

Enhanced sweat sensors lead to real-time, sustained, noninvasive tracking of sweat loss, ensure insight into individual health conditions at the molecular level, and have obtained prominent interest for their hopeful implementations in customized health tracking. Metal-oxide-based nanostructured electrochemical amperometric sensing materials are the best selection for continuous sweat monitoring devices owing to their high stability, high-sensing capacity, cost-effectiveness, miniaturization, and wide applicability. In this research, CuO thin films have been fabricated by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique (SILAR) with and without the addition of Lawsonia inermis L. (Henna, (LiL)) leaf extract (C10H6O3, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) with a high-sensitive and rapid response for sweat solution. Despite the pristine film being responsive to the 65.50 mM sweat solution (S = 2.66), the response characteristic improves to 3.95 for the 1.0% LiL-implemented CuO film. Unmodified, 1.0% LiL and 3.0% LiL-substituted thin-film materials assure considerable linearity with linear regression ranges, R2, of 0.989, 0.997, and 0.998, respectively. It is noteworthy here that this research aims to determine an enhanced system that could potentially be implemented in real-life sweat-tracking administrations. Real-time sweat loss tracking capabilities of CuO samples was found to be promising. Derived from these outcomes, we concluded that the fabricated nanostructured CuO-based sensing system is a useful application for the continuous observation of sweat loss as a biological argument and compatibility with other microelectronic technologies.

Anthropometric Periocular Soft Tissue Analysis From Preadolescence to Young Adulthood: Photogrammetric Measurements.

ABSTRACT: The periocular region has a central role in the prediction of ethnicity, understanding emotional expression, age, and sex. The aim of this study was to determine the sex-related growth changes in the periocular region of Turkish preadolescents, adolescents, and young adults. The study included a total of 234 individuals (preadolescents: 34 females and 40 males; adolescents: 40 females, 40 males, and young adults: 40 males and 40 females). A total of 7 periocular parameters (3 bilateral, 3 unilateral linear, and 1 angular measurement) were analyzed statistically to determine sex-related differences. The palpebral fissure and canthal indexes were also calculated. Of the 14 periocular measurements, 9 were found to be sexually dimorphic in certain age groups ( P < 0.05). Right-left palpebral fissure width and left palpebral fissure height were significantly different between young adult males and females ( P = 0.018, P = 0.013, and P = 0.027, respectively). A significant sexual dimorphism was observed for outercanthal distance and canthal index in 3 age groups ( P < 0.05). The data collected in this study may serve as a sex-dependent database source for the Turkish population during normal growth from preadolescence to young adulthood. The present study results would be useful for planning and designing aesthetic and post-traumatic surgical interventions in the periocular region as well as personal identification in this population.

Photographic Nasal Soft Tissue Analysis From Preadolescence to Young Adulthood: Anthropometric Measurements.

ABSTRACT: The nose has a tremendous effect on facial esthetics and overall facial harmony, accordingly it contributes to the physical appearance of individuals. The aim of this study is to establish sex-related nasal soft tissue norms for preadolescents, adolescents, and young adults in Anatolian population. A total of 300 volunteers (150 males and 150 females) with ages varying from 10 to 24 years were divided into 6 subgroups according to gender and educational status. The anthropometric measurements of the nose in preadolescent, adolescent, and young adult males and females were performed on digital photographs. A total of 16 nasal parameters, 13 linear and 3 angular measurements, were analyzed for sex-related variations. A significant sexual dimorphism was observed for nasofrontal and nasolabial angles in adolescent and young adult groups (P < 0.001, P = 0.011, and P = 0.007, respectively). All linear measurements of the nose were larger in males as compared to females, except for left alar thickness, which were similar between males and females in young adult group. Of the 16 nasal measurements, 13 were found to be sexually dimorphic in certain age groups (P < 0.05). In Anatolian population, the nasal shape and dimensions displayed significant sexual dimorphism in preadolescents, adolescents, and young adults. The average values of nasal soft tissue in this population could serve as a database for the planning of cosmetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty in the pediatric and adult population and obtaining the desired outcomes.

Sex estimation using sternum part lenghts by means of artificial neural networks.

In addition to the pelvis, cranium and phalanges, the sternum is also used for postmortem sex identification. Bone measurements may be obtained on cadaveric bones. Alternatively, computerized tomography may be used to obtain measurements close to the original ones. Moreover, usage of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in the field of medicine has started to provide new horizons. In this study, we aimed to identify sex by an ANN using lengths of manubrium sterni (MSL), corpus sterni (CSL) and processus xiphoideus (XPL) and sternal angle (SA) from computerized tomography (CT) images brought to an orthogonal plane. This study used the thin-slice thoracic CT images of 422 cases (213 female, 209 male) with an age range of 27-60 years brought to the orthogonal plane. Measurements of MSL, CSL, XPL and SA were analyzed with a multilayer artificial neural network that used stochastic gradient descent (SGD) for optimization and two hidden layers. MSL, CSL and XPL were longer, and SA was wider in men (MSL p = 0.000, CSL p = 0.000, XPL p = 0.000, SA p = 0.02). In the case of the two hidden layers of the network with 20 and 14 neurons in the hidden layers, respectively, learning rate of 0.1 and momentum coefficient of 0.9, the accuracy (Acc) of sex prediction was 0.906. In order to define a more realistic performance of the network, bootstrap was run with the confidence interval of 94%. A sensitivity (Sen) value of 0.91 and a specificity (Spe) value of 0.90 were calculated. The success rates that were achieved in sex identification with measurements on the skeleton using ANN were observed to be higher than those achieved by linear models. Also, sometimes all parts of the bones may not be found or might be deformed. In this case, the number of parameters used for the estimation will be incomplete. The ANN has the strong advantage to be able to estimate despite the missing parameter.

The estimation of bone cyst volume using the Cavalieri principle on computed tomography images.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the volume of bone cyst using the planimetry method of the Cavalieri principle. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on data from 25 computed tomography (CT) images of patients with bone cyst. The volume of the cysts was calculated by two independent observers using the planimetry method. The procedures were repeated 1 month later by each observer. RESULTS: The overall mean volume of the bone cyst was 29.25 ± 25.86 cm3. The mean bone cyst volumes calculated by the first observer for the first and second sessions were 29.18 ± 26.14 and 29.27 ± 26.19 cm3, respectively. The mean bone cyst volumes calculated by the second observer for the first and second sessions were 29.32 ± 26.36 and 29.23 ± 26.36 cm3, respectively. Statistical analysis showed no difference and high agreement between the first and second measurements of both observers. The Bland-Altman plots showed strong intraobserver and interobserver concordance in the measurement of the bone cyst volume. The mean total time necessary to obtain the cyst volume by the two observers was 5.27 ± 2.30 min. CONCLUSION: The bone cyst of the patients can be objectively evaluated using the planimetry method of the Cavalieri principle on CT. This method showed high interobserver and intraobserver agreement. This volume measurement can be used to evaluate cyst remodeling, including complete healing and cyst recurrence.

The effects of stabilization splint treatment on the volume of masseter muscle in sleep bruxism patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, quantitatively, the volumetric effects of stabilization splint therapy on the masseter muscle of sleep bruxism (SB) patients. METHODS: The magnetic resonance (MR) images of 16 SB patients diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG) who used stabilization splints for four months were obtained before and after the therapy. The masseter muscle volume was calculated using Cavalieri's principle on the MR images. RESULTS: After the splint therapy, the mean volume of the masseter muscle did not reduce significantly. The fat and/or water content of the muscles did not change either. DISCUSSION: The stabilization splint therapy had no effect on the volume, fat and/or water content of the masseter muscle; however the discomfort was reduced in the patients. Although the effect of splint therapy is not fully understood, the non-invasive and reversible stabilization splint can be used in SB patients because of its relaxation effect on muscles.

Quantitative analysis of the amygdala, thalamus and hippocampus on magnetic resonance images in paediatric bipolar disorders and compared with the children of bipolar parents and healthy control.

MR imaging studies in paediatric bipolar disorder have particularly focused on the amygdala and hippocampus, subcortical structures, and to a lesser extent on the thalamus. The purpose of this study was to perform structural analysis of the regions of interest (ROI) associated with mood regulation. In this study 18 children (between the ages of 12-18) were matched according to their age and sex and were divided into three groups. These were: a paediatric bipolar disorder group, risk group and a healthy control group. The structured diagnostic interviews were performed with children and their parents. T1 weighted MR images in the sagittal plane with a thickness of 1mm were taken from the subjects. Automatic structural brain analysis was performed, and the volume and volume fraction (VF) of the ROIs were obtained. Brain size in the patients with paediatric bipolar disorder (742.4 ± 110.1cm3) was significantly smaller than the healthy control group (880.7 ± 73.8cm3) (p≤0.05). MRI analysis between the paediatric bipolar disorder, risk group and healthy control group revealed no difference between them in terms of amygdala, thalamus or hippocampal volumes. In this study, there was no difference between the volumes of amygdala, thalamus or hippocampus.

Comparison of quadriceps muscle volume after unilateral total knee arthroplasty with and without tourniquet use.

PURPOSE: Determination of the effect of tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on thigh and quadriceps muscle volume using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A total of 148 knees of 74 patients (mean age 66.5 ± 4.8 years; female/male, 62/12) with bilateral primary varus gonarthrosis underwent unilateral TKA with a tourniquet (Group A, n = 35) or without a tourniquet (Group B, n = 39). The total thigh volume and connective, bone, and muscle tissue volumes were stereologically measured on preoperative and postoperative MRI. The Knee Society Score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score were calculated to evaluate functional outcomes. RESULTS: After TKA, the knees of patients in Group A exhibited a significant decrease in all tissue measurements, except bone tissue volume; however, the knees of patients in Group B exhibited no significant difference in tissue measurements. Although no difference was found between the operated and contralateral non-operated thighs (4076.9 and 4073.4 cm(3), respectively) in Group B postoperatively at 1 month (p > 0.05), the operated thighs had lost 20 % of its volume in Group A postoperatively at 1 month (p < 0.001). A significant difference was found in all tissue measurements, except the connective and bone tissue volumes of the thigh between the operated and contralateral non-operated knees in Group A. No significant difference was identified between the operated and contralateral non-operated knees in Group B. The total WOMAC score was significantly higher, and the total KSS was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B during the postoperative follow-up period of 1-6 months (p < 0.001 for all) but not 12 months (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Tourniquet use in TKA decreases the thigh and quadriceps muscle volumes and postoperatively delays the recovery of knee function. Therefore, caution should be exercised for tourniquet use during TKA in daily clinical practice and using alternative methods for tourniquet application in preventing intraoperative blood loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Increased Laterality of the Thalamus in Children and Adolescents with Asperger's Disorder: An MRI and Proton Spectroscopy Study.

OBJECTIVE: Thalamic abnormalities have been reported in people with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) including Asperger's Disorder (ASP). The aim of the present study was to compare the volume and volume fraction of the thalamus and the metabolite concentrations in children and adolescents with ASP using the magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, the relationships between thalamic abnormalities and clinical features were examined. METHODS: Volume and volume fractional and metabolic measurements of bilateral thalamus were collected from 15 boys with ASP with a total IQ over 70 (age range 7-18 years, mean age 11.6±3.79 years), and 15 healthy controls matching age, sex and IQ. The thalamic volumes, hemisphere volumes and total brain volumes (TBV) were estimated using the stereological methods on magnetic resonance images. Chemical metabolites of thalamus were evaluated by (1)H spectroscopy. RESULTS: No differences in thalamic volumes, volume fractions and metabolites were observed between the groups. There were significant correlation between thalamic volume and total brain volume in both groups. The ASP group showed a significant left-minus-right thalamus difference as well as a significantly greater laterality index. In addition, a significant correlation between the laterality index and Autism Behavior Checklist language scores was observed. CONCLUSION: Findings from this investigation point to a significant increase in laterality of the thalamus and a relationship with language problems in individuals with ASP. Our findings suggest that thalamic abnormalities may be related to mild language problems observed in ASP.

Volumetric analysis of the subthalamic and red nuclei based on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis. However, there is not much known about the morphological changes in the STN. The red nucleus (RN) has many connections with the motor coordinating pathways although it is not primarily involved in the pathogenesis. In this study we aimed to compare the volumes of the STN and RN measured by magnetic resonance imaging in PD patients and controls to investigate how these structures are affected at the morphological level. Twenty patients with PD and twenty age/sex matched controls were enrolled in this study. Severity score was determined by Hoehn & Yahr staging: 6 at stage II and 14 at stage III in med-off state. Imaging was performed by a 1.5 Tesla (T) MR scanner. Measurements of total brain and normalized STN and RN volumes were performed by manual planimetry using Image J software. No statistically significant differences were observed between two groups based on age or gender and disease stage and nuclei volumes. The total estimated brain volumes were not different between PD patients and controls. However, normalized volumes of the STN and RN were 14% and 16% larger, respectively, in PD patients compared to the controls (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that the volumes of the STN and RN are increased in patients with PD. These changes possibly reflect the altered metabolic activity of these regions demonstrated by neurophysiological studies.

The effect of minimally invasive surgical repair on the lung volumes of patients with pectus excavatum.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the increase in lung volume after Nuss surgery in patients with pectus excavatum (PE) by using stereological methods and to evaluate the correlation between the lung volume and spirometry findings. METHODS: Twenty patients, treated for PE between 2008 and 2010, were evaluated prospectively. They underwent preoperative chest radiography, computed thorax tomography (CTT), and spirometry. Thereafter, the Haller index was calculated for each patient. In the third postoperative month, CTT and spirometry were repeated.Lung volumes and volume fractions were evaluated using CTT images, applying the Cavalieri principle for stereological methods. Then the correlation between the pre- and postoperative values of the lung volumes with spirometry findings was determined. RESULTS: Volumes of the right and left lungs were calculated stereologically, using CTT images. Postoperative volume increase of ∼417.6 ± 747.6 mL was detected. The maximum volume increase was observed in the left lung. In the postoperative period, the total volume increase and the volume increase detected in the left lung were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).The preoperative correlation coefficients (r) for forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and forced expiratory flow 25 to 75% were 0.67, 0.68, and 0.61, respectively; the postoperative r figures were 0.43, 0.42, and 0.35, respectively. Although there was a strong correlation between the preoperative lung volume and spirometry findings (p < 0.05), no correlation was observed between the postoperative lung volume and spirometry findings (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative pulmonary volume increase occurs in patients with PE after Nuss surgery. However, postoperative spirometry findings may not reflect morphological improvement because pain restricts thoracic movements. Therefore, in patients with PE, quantitative evaluation of the results of surgical repair is possible using the CTT images through a combination of stereological methods.

Physical properties of nanostructured CdO films from alkaline baths containing saccharin as additive.

Nanostructured cadmium oxide (CdO) films were fabricated on glass substrates from alkaline baths containing saccharin as an additive by a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The effects of saccharin concentration in the bath on the structural, morphological, and optical properties were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy. The analyses showed that the surface morphologies, XRD peak intensities, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence properties of CdO films changed with saccharin concentration. From the results, it can be said that morphological characteristic and optical properties of the films could be calibrated by adding various saccharin percentages in the growth bath.

Postoperative lung volume change depending on the resected lobe.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lung volume changes depending on the resected lobes. The changes were quantitatively evaluated using stereological methods on computed tomography images and by pulmonary function tests (PFTs). METHODS: The study subjects included 30 patients who underwent lung resection. Of these, 26 patients underwent lung resection due to non-small cell lung cancer and 4 patients for benign reasons. Patients were classified into the following six groups according to the resected lobes and lungs: right lower lobectomy, right upper lobectomy, left lower lobectomy, left upper lobectomy, right pneumonectomy, and left pneumonectomy cases. All patients were evaluated with the PFT and computed thorax tomography (CTT), preoperatively and in the postoperative 3rd month. Volume changes due to resection were estimated on CTT scans using the Cavalieri principle of the stereological methods, and their relationships to the PFTs were evaluated. RESULTS: Stereologically estimated data showed that the volume loss was 19.01% in upper lobectomy and 5.57% in lower lobectomy (p < 0.05). The highest volumetric increase of the contralateral lung and minor volume loss of the ipsilateral lung was observed in lower lobectomy. After right lower lobectomy, the highest postoperative volume increase was observed at the contralateral lung and the least volume loss in the remaining ipsilateral lung. In PFT, forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased to 3.07% after lower lobectomy whereas it decreased to 11.94% after upper lobectomy. FVC revealed that no significant change occurred after right lower lobectomy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the parenchyma resected in lower lobectomy is larger, the postoperative total lung volume reduction is less than that of upper lobectomy. After lower lobectomy, postoperative compensation is achieved specifically by the expansion of contralateral lung, together with the remaining ipsilateral lung.

Comparison of cerebellar volume between subjects with bilateral congenital blindness and healthy individuals / Comparación del volumen cerebelar entre individuos sanos y con ceguera bilateral congénita

Cerebellum regulates motor control and physical coordination. It is known that when eye and hand need to be worked in combination, cerebellum is active and it provides coordination between eye and hand. Cerebellar cortex atrophy appears with dismetry and saccadic eye movement. If there is no stimulant related to vision, how cerebellum is adopted under this circumstance? In order to explore this, 27 male and 16 female volunteers with bilateral congenital blindness were compared with 35 male and 33 female healthy volunteers in this study. MR images of cross-sectional sequential cerebellum of volunteers with 1.5 mm thickness were realized in coronal plane. The surface area of apparent cerebellum seen in cross-sections was calculated by using Onis (Ver. 2.1) programme. Surface area data obtained by systematic randomized sampling were converted to volume by Cavalieri method. Cerebellar volume of bilateral congenital blind male was 128.15 ± 11.11 cm3, and cerebellar volume of bilateral congenital blind female was 118.60 ±10.73 cm3. Cerebellar volume for healthy men and women were 132.89 ± 12.51 cm3 and 125.97 ± 10.78 cm3, respectively. It was revealed that cerebellar volume for bilateral congenital blind men was smaller than that of healthy men, but this difference was not significant. On the other hand cerebellar volume of bilateral congenital blind women was significantly smaller than that of healthy women (p<0.05). No asymmetry was detected between right and left side of cerebellum in both bilateral congenital blind and healthy subjects.

Cuando el ojo y la mano necesitan trabajar de manera combinada, el cerebelo se activa y proporciona la coordinación entre éstos. La atrofia de la corteza cerebelosa aparece con dismetría y movimientos oculares sacádicos. Si no hay estimulantes de la visión, ¿cómo se adapta el cerebelo en esta circunstancia? Se realizó un estudio con sujetos voluntarios, 27 hombres y 16 mujeres con ceguera congénita bilateral los cuales fueron comparados con 35 hombres y 33 mujeres sanas. Se realizó la toma de imágenes resonancia magnética, obteniendo secciones transversales del cerebelo de manera secuencial con espesor de 1,5 mm en el plano coronal. El área superficial aparente del cerebelo observada en las secciones ransversales se calculó mediante el uso del software Onis (Ver. 2,1). Los datos de superficie obtenidos mediante muestreo aleatorio sistemático fueron utilizados para calcular el volumen utilizando el método de Cavalieri. El volumen cerebelar bilateral de los hombres con cegera congénito fue 128,15±11,11 cm3 y mujeres fue 118,60±10,73 cm3. Los volumenes del cerebelo en hombres y mujeres sanos fueron 132,89±12,51 cm3 y 125,97±10,78 cm3, respectivamente. Se reveló que el volumen del cerebelo de los hombres con cegera bilateral congénita fue menor que el de los hombres sanos, pero esta diferencia no fue significativa. Por otro lado el volumen del cerebelo de las mujeres con cegera bilateral congénita fue significativamente menor que el de mujeres sanas (p <0,05). No se detectó asimetría entre el lado derecho e izquierdo del cerebelo, tanto en sujetos con cegera bilateral congénita como sujetos sanos.

Determination of lateral ventricle and brain volume in children with stereological method using MRI / Determinación del volumen del ventrículo lateral y del cerebro en niños utilizando el método estereológico mediante RNM

Although brain development is most active during the intrauterina period of life, the processes of myelination and arborization affect the structure of the brain throughout childhood and adolescence. Brain development is also very active in the early years of a child's life, and continues to be so for approximately 15 years after gestation. Volumetric changes in the brain are effected by sex. Understanding the variability of human brain volume during development is important for the interpretation of childhood neuroimaging studies. Hence the aim of this study is to determine the effects of sex difference on brain volume (BV), lateral ventricle volume (LV) and the ratio of brain volume and lateral ventricle volumes as a percentage (RLBV%) of 90 healthy children between the ages of 6-17 according to their sex with MRI. These children were divided into three age groups of 6-9, 10-13 and 14-17 also BV, LV were calculated using the Cavalieri principle, which is classified as a stereological method and than RLBV% were calculated. Results: The BV of age group 6-9 was significantly smaller than the other two age groups (P < 0.05). General average BV of the age group 10-13 was higher than the other two age groups but this difference is insignificant. When the groups were compared according to sex, there was no important difference between girls and boys (P > 0.05). General average LV of the age group 6-9 was higher than the other two age groups but this difference insignificant. Moreover there was no sex difference. This study was presented that BV was continued to increase until the ages 10-13 for both of the genders. While LV was increased until the ages 10-13 for boys, it was had a negative relationship with changes of BV for girls.

Aunque el desarrollo del cerebro es más activo durante el período de la vida intrauterina, los procesos de mielinización y arborización afectan a la estructura del cerebro durante la infancia y la adolescencia. El desarrollo del cerebro es activo en los primeros años de la vida, y sigue siendo así durante unos 15 años después de la gestación. Cambios volumétricos en el cerebro son afectados según el sexo. La comprensión de la variabilidad del volumen del cerebro humano durante el desarrollo es importante para la interpretación de los estudios de neuroimagen en la infancia. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar, a través de resonancia nuclear magnética, los efectos de las diferencias de sexo en el volumen cerebral (VC), en el volumen del ventrículo lateral (VL) y la relación porcentual de los volúmenes del cerebro y del ventrículo lateral (% VLVC) de 90 niños sanos entre 6-17 años de edad, en ambos sexos. Los niños fueron divididos en tres grupos de edad: 6-9, 10-13 y 14-17. El VC y el VL se calcularon utilizando el principio de Cavalieri, además de la relación porcentual RLBV. El VC del grupo 6-9 años fue significativamente menor que el de los otros dos grupos (p <0,05). El promedio del BC del grupo 10-13 años fue superior a los otros dos grupos de edad, pero esta diferencia fue mínima. Cuando se compararon los grupos en cuanto al sexo, no hubo diferencia entre niños y niñas (P> 0,05). El promedio general del grupo VL de 6-9 años fue mayor que los otros dos, sin diferencia significativa entre ambos sexos. El VC siguió aumentando hasta los 10-13 años en ambos sexos. Mientras LV aumentó hasta los 10-13 años de edad en los niños, se observó en las niñas una relación negativa con cambios de BV.

The effect of slice thickness on the assessment of bone defect volumes by the Cavalieri principle using cone beam computed tomography.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effects of section thickness on volume estimations obtained by cone beam computed tomography. Intraosseal cavities representing bone defects on vestibular sides of the two dry sheep mandibles were scanned by a cone beam computed tomography system. Consecutive sections at 0.2, 0.6, 1, 1.4, and 2.2 mm thickness were used to estimate the volumes of the cavities using the Cavalieri principle of stereological methods. Estimated volumes are then compared with the volumes obtained by the Archimedean principle. In 0.2-, 0.6-, and 1-mm-thick slices, the volumes estimated by the Cavalieri principle did not differ from the volumes by the Archimedean principle (p > 0.05). The 0.2 mm slice-thickness group had the highest asymptotic significance value (p = 0.6). Although the thinnest slice appears to provide the most accurate values, slice thickness up to 1 mm can be chosen for volume calculations on CBCT images.

A new evaluation method for the intracranial volume changes and subdural effusion of patients following endoscopic third ventriculostomy.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a procedure commonly applied in the treatment of non-communicating (obstructive) hydrocephalus. One of the rare complications that can occur following ETV is a subdural effusion, even though this procedure is considered to be a more controlled and natural method of cerebrospinal fluid drainage compared to external drainage. In this study, we evaluated the intracranial volume changes and subdural effusion of patients following ETV using Cavalieri method. METHOD: Volumes analysis of the cranial cavity, brain, ventricles and subdural effusions of two patients after ETV were performed on computed tomography images using the Cavalieri principle, one of the stereological methods. RESULTS: The preoperative total intracranial volumes and the preoperative brain volumes decreased for both patients during the postoperative 3rd, 10th and 30th days. Following ETV, the volumes of the lateral ventricles of both patients initially decreased during the postoperative 3rd and 10th days, however, the volumes returned almost to their preoperative size by the end of the 30th day. The effusions were seen on the postoperative 3rd and 10th days resolved by the end of the 30th day. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the Cavalieri method can be used to unbiased prediction of intracranial volume changes and to follow the subdural effusion after the ETV surgery.