Magnetic resonance imaging study of the cavum septi pellucidi in patients with schizophrenia.

Abstract

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the prevalence of the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) in 79 normal subjects and 86 patients with schizophrenia. The CSP was assessed by counting the number of consecutive coronal 1-mm slices containing the CSP. A CSP equal to or greater than 6 mm in length was defined as large. The CSP was found in 74.4% of the patients and 74.7% of the normal subjects, a nonsignificant difference. No difference between groups was found in the prevalence of a large CSP. The findings support the idea that a small CSP is a normal anatomical variant. More cases of a large CSP are needed to elucidate the implications of this abnormality in schizophrenia.