Background: Computed tomography (CT)-based ventriculo-hemispheric indices provide quantitative measures of ventricular size relative to overall brain dimensions. While these indices are traditionally used in the assessment of hydrocephalus, they also serve as indicators of cerebral atrophy in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. This study evaluates the Frontal Horn Index (FHI), Evans Ratio (ER), Bicaudate Index (BCI), and Cella Media Index (CMI) as potential neuroimaging markers in schizophrenia, dementia, and chronic alcoholism. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 667 adults undergoing CT brain imaging at a tertiary care center. The study population included 45 chronic alcoholics, 51 dementia patients, 65 schizophrenia patients, and 506 normal controls. CT-derived indices such as FHI, ER, BCI, and CMI, were measured and compared among diagnostic groups using the One-way analysis of variance and Independent t -tests. Results: Dementia patients demonstrated the highest mean ventricular indices (FHI: 0.393 ± 0.041; ER: 0.364 ± 0.041; BCI: 0.174 ± 0.046; and CMI: 0.222 ± 0.0397), followed by alcoholics and schizophrenics. All indices were significantly elevated in dementia and chronic alcoholism compared to controls ( P < 0.001). In schizophrenia, BCI and CMI were significantly higher ( P < 0.05), whereas FHI and ER showed no significant difference. The control group showed mean ER (0.322 ± 0.035) and BCI (0.126 ± 0.033), aligning with published normative data. Conclusion: CT-based ventriculohemispheric indices are reliable and reproducible measures for assessing ventricular enlargement in dementia and chronic alcoholism and to a lesser extent in schizophrenia. Their practicality and cost-effectiveness highlight their clinical utility as neuroimaging biomarkers in the resource-limited settings.
Thirumaran et al. (Thu,) studied this question.