[CT findings of ischemic infarction in relation to neuronal damage in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the early changes in CT findings of ischemic infarction in relation to neuronal damage in rabbits.


METHODS
Thirty-two rabbits were divided into control group and experiment groups and scanned with CT 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, and 36 h after ischemic cerebral infarction induced by PVA embolization of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), respectively. The brain specimen were stained with HE, Nissle and TUNEL techniques for pathological examination.


RESULTS
In stage I (2-8 h after MCA occlusion) by CT staging, the neurons exhibited ischemic change followed by cell edema. A small number of TUNEL-positive cells were found in the basal ganglia and cortex. In stage II (12-18 h after MCA occlusion), neuronal swelling and lysis were observed with greater number of TUNEL-positive neurons in the basal ganglia and cortex. In stage III ( 24-36 h after MCA obstruction), cerebral edema became obvious and ischemic cores were distinct, with numerous necrotic neurons seen and destruction of the cell structure. Numerous TUNEL-positive cells were seen in the ischemic penumbra and cortex.


CONCLUSIONS
The damaged neurons after ischemic cerebral infarction showed varied morphology including cell edema, apoptosis, necrosis, and necrosis-apoptosis continuum. CT manifestations are strongly associated with the progression of ischemia and the pathological changes.
Feng
Chang-Zheng
CZ
Department of Radiology, Guangdong Women and Children's Hospital, Guangzhou 510010, China.
Li
Yang-Bin
YB
Tan
Li-Lian
LL
Sun
Wei-Wen
WW
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed