Publication

Value of morphological parameters for grading of brain swelling

Journal Paper/Review - Jul 30, 2005

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Hausmann R, Vogel C, Seidl S, Betz P. Value of morphological parameters for grading of brain swelling. Int J Legal Med 2005; 120:219-25.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Int J Legal Med 2005; 120
Publication Date
Jul 30, 2005
Issn Print
0937-9827
Pages
219-25
Brief description/objective

This study investigated the value of both gross features and histological findings for grading of brain swelling. For this purpose, the grooving of the temporal gyri (unci) as well as the extension of the cones at the basal part of the cerebellum were measured in 42 brains obtained at autopsy. Furthermore, the distension of perivascular spaces in tissue samples from seven different regions of the brains was evaluated histologically, assisted by an automatic image processing and analysis system. In each individual, the normal range of brain weight was calculated on the basis of the body height, using the formulae by Röthig and Schaarschmidt. The difference between this calculated (normal) value and the brain weight evaluated at autopsy was considered as a reliable criterion for the grade of brain swelling. There was no statistical evidence of a positive correlation between the various parameters. Hence, it can be concluded that both gross section and histological findings are of minimal significance for grading of brain swelling.