Volumetric measurement of cranial cavity and cerebral ventricular system with 3D Slicer software based on CT data.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of using 3D Slicer software for volumetric measurement of the cranial cavity and cerebral ventricular system, particularly in hydrocephalus patients. We also provide detailed steps for performing the measurements.

Methods: Volumetric measurements were performed on 186 healthy volunteers, 117 hydrocephalus patients with intact skulls, and 72 hydrocephalus patients with incomplete skulls using 3D Slicer based on computed tomography (CT) data. CT scans were performed using a GE Discovery750 scanner and analyzed with 3D Slicer software (version 5.0.2). Cranial cavity volumes were measured using two methods: the Swiss Skull Stripper module and the Segment Editor tool. Ventricular volumes were assessed by segmenting the ventricles and periventricular structures with anatomical markers. Data were analyzed for consistency and accuracy using SPSS version 25.0, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: Intracranial volume measurements showed no significant differences between healthy controls and HANPH patients, nor between different measurement methods. In healthy controls, males had larger ventricular volumes than females, and older individuals had larger volumes, except for the fourth ventricle. The left lateral ventricle was larger than the right. No discrepancies were found between measurements taken by two neurosurgeons.

Conclusion: The volumetric measurement of cranial cavity and cerebral ventricular system with 3D Slicer software based on CT data are accurate, repeatable and consistent, providing methodological and technical support for hydrocephalus research, especially for incomplete skull patients, the third ventricle and the fourth ventricle.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.