The Prevalence of the Absence of the Occipital (Posterior) Horns of the Lateral Ventricles among Nigerians (2003 – 2008) using Computerised Tomography

Abstract

This study undertakes a five-year retrospective study on the prevalence of absence of occipital horns among Nigerians. All available brain CT scans of subjects done in the Radiology Department of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto, Nigeria, from 2003 - 2008 (a 5-year period) and reported as normal by the Radiologist, were recruited for the study. The study reveals amidst others that occipital horns were absent in 33.6% images of the subjects reviewed in the study. Bilateral absence occurs in 21.7% of the subjects; of this 15.8% were males while 5.9% were females. Right occipital horn was absent in 5.3% of males and 1.31% of females, whereas, left occipital horn was absent in 1.3% of males and 5.9% of females. Unilateral absence occurs more on the right side of the subjects than on the left side. It is therefore concluded that the prevalence of the absence of the occipital (posterior) horns of the lateral ventricles is statistically significant.