Stereological estimation of total intracranial volume on CT images

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the possibility of generating stereological estimations of total intracranial volume (TIV) on CT scans. The study group included 16 consecutive patients referred for a cranial CT examination. The TIV was estimated using the stereological point counting technique. Volume measurements were optimized by systematically sampling CT sections and by defining an optimum spacing between test points of the grid. The intraobserver and interobserver variability of the optimized volumetric technique was determined. Stereological TIV estimations were compared with the respective planimetric measurements. The application of a test grid with a point spacing of 2.4 cm on 6-8 systematically sampled CT sections provided TIV estimations with a coefficient of error of less than 5%. The intraobserver and interobserver coefficient of variation values were found to be 2.4 and 4.0%, respectively. The 95% limits of agreement between stereological and planimetric TIV measurements were equal to -91.4 and 103.4 cm3. The mean time (+/- SD) needed to obtain stereological TIV estimations was 2.9 +/- 0.6 min. The application of the optimized stereological technique on CT scans enables the efficient estimation of TIV.

Age-related changes of nasal cavity and conchae volumes and volume fractions in children: a stereological study

“…The volume fraction of a phase can be estimated by means of the Cavalieri principle on radiological images using point-counting approach [25]. The volume fraction formula with the point-counting grid can be written as following Eq.…”

Estimation Of The Eyeball And Orbital Volume Using The Cavalieri Principle On Computed Tomography Images

“…Their studies are mainly conducted to estimate the effi ciency of the applied method. There are many studies using planimetry and point-counting measurement for volume estimation in different organs (3,(6)(7)(8)(9). Results of these studies showed good correlation and there was no statistical difference between techniques.…”

“…A square grid test system with d= 0.20 and 0.25 cm between test points i.e., 0.04 and 0.0625 cm 2 representing area per point, were used to estimate the sectioned surface area of the slices. The points hitting the eyeball and orbit sectioned surface area were counted for each section and the VE and VO were estimated using the modifi ed formula for volume estimations of radiological images (2,3,6,(7)(8)(9).…”

“…Various software such as OSIRIS, DicomWorks and ImageJ etc. have recently been used for planimetric measurement (7)(8)(9).…”

Study of Cranial Capacity & Its Sexual Dimorphism in Adult Human Skulls

“…Several studies have been carried out in different countries to estimate the cranial capacity which indirectly reflects the brain volume. [3,4] In the same race, female skull has been found to have a capacity about 1/10th less than that of the male skull. Studies on cranial capacity has been proved to be a useful tool in the field of Forensic Anthropology and Pediatrics, as an indicator of skull development in both male and female individuals.…”