On CT, what should be observed about the ventricles in a normal study?

On CT, what should be observed about the ventricles in a normal study?

• A. Asymmetrical and shifted
• B. Not visible
• C. Symmetrical and midline
• D. Compressed against the skull

Answer: (C)

In a normal CT brain, the ventricles are symmetric and lie on the midline. They should have regular, smooth outlines and be of expected size for the patient, with no pushing or distortion of surrounding brain structures. This symmetry and midline position reflect absence of mass effect, edema, or hydrocephalus. If one ventricle were noticeably larger or shifted compared with the other, that would suggest a space-occupying process or increased intracranial pressure. Similarly, ventricles that are not visible or appear compressed against the skull would indicate abnormal pathology rather than a normal study.

In a normal CT brain, the ventricles are symmetric and lie on the midline. They should have regular, smooth outlines and be of expected size for the patient, with no pushing or distortion of surrounding brain structures. This symmetry and midline position reflect absence of mass effect, edema, or hydrocephalus. If one ventricle were noticeably larger or shifted compared with the other, that would suggest a space-occupying process or increased intracranial pressure. Similarly, ventricles that are not visible or appear compressed against the skull would indicate abnormal pathology rather than a normal study.