title: Defining the macroscopic and microscopic findings of experimental focal brain ischemia in rats from a forensic scientist's point of view.
abstract: Approximately 10% of all deaths in the world occur as a result of stroke. Determination of the time schedule of the pathologic events in a stroke patient is invaluable for a forensic specialist. The aim of this study was to define the schedule of the macroscopic and microscopic changes that occurred in a rat model of permanent focal ischemia for providing useful clues for the evaluation of stroke patients. Male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 350 g were used in this study. Permanent focal brain ischemia was applied by the suture occlusion method. The animals were divided into 7 experimental groups (n = 6) with time schedules including 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, 72 hours, and the sham. Brains were harvested at the end of the determined time schedule. Lesions in the frontoparietal cortex were evaluated macroscopically first and later hematoxylin eosin stained sections from the infarct core were investigated microscopically. Macroscopically, enlargement of the ipsilateral hemisphere was mild at 6 hour, apparent at 12 and 24 hours, and mild again at 72 hours. Microscopically, ischemic changes were apparent even at 1.5 hour. Red neurons and infiltration of the parenchyma with neutrophil leukocytes were observed at 12 hours. Pannecrosis and massive leukocyte infiltration were observed at 72 hours. Macroscopic and microscopic findings obtained from a rat model may provide clues for determination of the time-dependent changes due to brain ischemia in human subjects. Finally, the benefits of determination of time course of pathologic changes in the brain for forensic scientists were discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ertugrul
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tatlisumak
authors.forename: Sevinc
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inan
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asirdizer
authors.forename: Nihal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Apaydin
authors.forename: Ceyda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hayretdag
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tekdemir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D023421:Models, Animal; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors