Research Papers: Gerotarget (Focus on Aging):
In normal aging ventricular system never attains pathological values of Evans’ index
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Abstract
Paolo Missori1, Aurelia Rughetti2, Simone Peschillo3, Gianfranco Gualdi4, Claudio Di Biasi4, Italo Nofroni5, Lucio Marinelli6, Francesco Fattapposta1, Antonio Currà7
1 Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Policlinico Umberto I, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
2 Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
3 Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Endovascular Neurosurgery/Interventional Neuroradiology, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, Rome, Italy
4 Department of Radiology, Policlinico Umberto I, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
5 Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Medical Statistics and Biometry, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
6 Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
7 Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Neurology, A. Fiorini Hospital, Terracina, LT, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Polo Pontino, Italy
Correspondence to:
Paolo Missori, email:
Keywords: aging, brain, enlargement, Evans’ index, ventricular system, Gerotarget
Received: December 22, 2015 Accepted: February 09, 2016 Published: February 23, 2016
Abstract
Ventricular enlargement in normal aging frequently forces the radiological diagnosis of hydrocephalus, but the reliability of Evans’ index as a radiological marker of abnormal ventricular enlargement (values > 0.30) during aging is not assessed. Here we analyze ventricular size during aging and the reliability of Evans’ index as a radiological marker of abnormal ventricular enlargement. We calculated Evans’ index in the axial Computed Tomography scans of 1221 consecutive individuals (aged 45-101 years) from an emergency department. Stratified analysis of one-year cohorts showed that the mean Evans’ index value per class was invariably < 0.30. Roughly one out five Computed Tomography scans was associated with Evans’ index values > 0.30 and Evans’ index values increased with age. The risk of having an Evans’ index value > 0.30 increased by 7.8% per year of age (p < 0.001) and males were at 83.9% greater risk than females (p < 0.001). Overall, this study shows that normal aging enlarges the ventricular system, but never causes abnormal ventricular enlargement. Evans’ index values > 0.30 should reflect an underlying neurological condition in every individual.
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PII: 7644