Karlene M. Fraser1, Mitul A. Mehta2, Ruth L. O'Gorman1,3
1Neuroimaging, Maudsley Hospital, London, UK;
2Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, London,
UK; 3Neuroradiology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
Here we present a simple, semi-automated method for evaluating the volume and
shape of the caudate nucleus. The shape is quantified by the surface area to
volume (SA/V) ratio, calculated from contours defining the edge of the caudate
on a segmented grey matter map. This method was applied to images from 17
healthy adults and the accuracy and inter-rater reproducibility was assessed.
The volume measures showed good agreement with literature values. Significant
laterality differences emerged, with the right caudate demonstrating higher
volume and surface area and lower SA/V relative to the left (p<0.005). The
method also showed good reproducibility, (ICC=0.83-0.9).