Sexual Dimorphism of Cerebral Aqueduct Dimensions Using Computerized Tomographic Scan in Sokoto North-Western Nigeria

Aim: This study aims to determine the sexual dimorphism of cerebral aqueduct dimensions using computerized tomographic scan in Sokoto North-western Nigeria

Study Design: Retrospective cross- sectional

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and Department of Radiology Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, between January, 2020 and January, 2022.

Methodology: The images were analysed on a viewing monitor and the measurements were made using a computer software program Radiant DICOM Viewer version 4.0. The anterior-posterior diameter of the cerebral aqueduct was measured as the distance between the posterior end of the third ventricle to the upper part of the fourth ventricle in sagittal plane. While, the transverse diameter was measured as the distance between the lateral margins of the aqueduct at the midpoint of the anterior posterior diameter in sagittal plane.

Results: The range of anterior posterior diameter of aqueduct observed in males was 24.25mm to1.64mm and 24.3mm to32.27mmin females. While the range of width of the aqueduct was 2.18mm to 3.79mm in males and 2.16mm to 3.51mm in females. The largest length 32.32mm of the aqueduct was observed in the age group 51-60years for and 32.27mm in females seen in the age group 51-60 and 61-70years.

Conclusion: The anterior-posterior and transverse diameter of the cerebral aqueduct shows no sexual dimorphism and changes slightly in the first decade of life, but thereafter, there is progressively increase in the cerebral aqueduct diameters with advancing age.