Morphometric analysis of ventricular indexes and intracranial cerebrospinal fluid spaces in the brain using magnetic resonance imaging healthy in Van cats

Abstract Background Ventricular indexes are defined as a numerical marker of ventricular dimensions in domestic mammals. The anatomical size of the brain ventricles has been the subject of many studies so far and has been accepted as a potential indicator of many brain disorders in the clinical field. Currently, the number of studies describing the morphometry of the brain ventricular system in cats is limited. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted specifically on indexes characterizing the numerical compatibility of the brain and brain ventricles in cats. The aim of this study was to reveal the morphometric status of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid spaces and ventricular indexes in healthy Van cats by magnetic resonance imaging method. Results For this retrospective study, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed at 1.5 T on 20 (10 male and 10 female) Van cats, under general anaesthesia. The animals were at the age of mean 4 (3–5 age). All Van cats were selected from individuals who had not undergone any surgical procedures, were not neutered, and had no visible anomalies. The statistical analysis of first, descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were calculated. In line with the mean results obtained, the difference between sex was examined statistically. ‘A Mann-Whitney U test’ was applied to detect sex differences in measurement parameters in the study. The results are as follows (mean ± standard deviation): İntracranial cerebrospinal fluid spaces measurements: R-fss: 1.02 ± 0.19 mm, L-fss: 1.03 ± 0.18 mm, A-if: 1.06 ± 0.26 mm, R-sf: 1.38 ± 0.32 mm, L-sf: 1.37 ± 0.27, V1: 4.26 ± 0.53 mm. Indexes: Fourth ventricle: 15.95 ± 1.73%, Bifrontal: 17.45 ± 1.78%, Bioccipital: 47.53 ± 9.36%, Evans: 13.76 ± 2.93%, Lateral ventricle: 35.41 ± 2.50%, Callosal angle: 85.06°±4.42°. Conclusions The present study provides baseline values of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid spaces and linear indexes of the ventricles in the Van cats. The acquisition of these data contributes to filling the knowledge void on important anatomical and morphological features of the Van cats brain.