The bifrontal fluid collection area and other cerebrospinal fluid spaces at computed tomography in children. Its variations with increasing age and pathologic conditions.

A total of 592 computed tomography examinations of the brain in children were studied from the aspect of age and development. The series was divided into 3 groups with respect to neurologic development: 1) normal without neurologic symptoms, 2) normal or subnormal with neurologic symptoms, and 3) moderately to severely retarded. For evaluation, a method of visual grading was applied for each cerebrospinal fluid space. Concerning the ventricular system, the most significant changes in size with increasing age were noted in the lateral ventricles. There were no significant changes in the third and fourth ventricles. Among the three groups, the enlargement was most prominent in group 3 and less prominent in groups 1 and 2. Concerning the extraventricular spaces, the enlarged bifrontal fluid collection area, the sylvian fissure, the interhemispheric fissure, and the cerebral sulci vanished with increasing age. Similarly to the ventricular system, the enlargement was most prominent in group 3, and less prominent in groups 1 and 2, above the age of 1 year. The relation of these results to age and developmental factors are discussed.