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Ventricular Surface Index (VSI)

Description

Renier et al used the ventricular surface area (VSI) to evaluate pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. This can be used to evaluate the patient before and after shunt therapy. The authors are from Hopital des Enfants Malades in Paris, France.


 

Imaging studies: CT scan cut just above the foramen of Monro

 

Parameters:

(1) cross sectional area of ventricles in square cm before shunt procedure

(2) cross sectional area of entire brain (including cross sectional area of ventricles) before shunt procedure

(3) cross sectional area of ventricles in square cm after shunt procedure

(4) cross sectional area of entire brain (including cross sectional area of ventricles) after shunt procedure

 

ventricular surface index =

= (cross sectional area of ventricles in square cm) / (cross sectional area of total brain in square cm) * 100

 

Interpretation:

• The VSI in normal patients ranges from 1 to 12 with a mean value of 5.4 and a standard deviation of 2.8.

• The VSI is increased in patients with hydrocephalus.

 

change in VSI associated shunt surgery =

= ((VSI before surgery) – (VSI after surgery)) / (VSI before surgery) * 100%

 

NOTE: The name is somewhat misleading since a surface area is not calculated. With newer imaging systems, the entire surface area of the ventricles can be measured and compared to the surface area of the brain.

 


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Specialty

ICD-10