title: [Three-dimensional architecture and ultrastructure of the cerebral microvasculature of missile brain wound in cats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the changes of cerebral microvasculature in cats with missile brain wound.
  
  
  METHODS
  The microvascular corrosion casts of the brain were examined by scanning electron microscopy, and the ultra-thin slices of the brain were inspected by transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The brain microvasculature showed evidently abnormal morphological changes, with both vasospasm and vasodilation as well as concurrent bleeding and ischemia. Strong pathological contraction of vascular sphincter, rupture of some microvessels, and increased microvilli and vacuoles in the endothelial cells were observed. Loosening of the intercellular tight junction and basal membrane rupture occurred along with perivascular swelling and neural cell damages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morphological or functional changes occur in the cerebral microvasculature leading to secondary brain injury after missile brain wound in cats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Guilin People's Hospital, Guilin 541002, China.
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Chang-cai
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*