gms | German Medical Science

Objective: Many concepts concerning the pathophysiology of SAH are being developed in murine models, e.g. using the intravascular filament perforation technique. The assessment of outcome in these experimental settings is of utmost importance. Mostly, this is done immunohistochemically, or by behavioural testing. The latter is sensitive enough to document hemipareses after stroke, but not the more subtle impairments after SAH. To evaluate, if differences in brain volumetry can serve as readout parameter, mouse cerebral MRI was performed after experimental SAH.

Method: Experimental SAH was induced in C57Bl/6 mice through endovascular perforation. Cerebral MRI was performed before, as well as 1, 2, 4, 21, 42 and 56 days after induction of SAH. Brain volumetry was done in serial T2-weighted sections, converted with ImageJ and analysed with Analyze10.0.

Results: A significant increase in brain volume was documented on day 2 after SAH. At all other time points, no significant reduction or increase in brain volume could be analysed. We did not see a difference between the two hemispheres, either. Control animals: 169±5; day1: 177±9; day2: 218±6; day4: 183±3; day21: 182±8; day42: 183±11; day56: 183±5.

Conclusions: The consistency of the results was quite high, as shown by minimal standard deviations. Nevertheless, besides an increase in brain volume on day 2 (probably swelling after SAH), no significant changes could be observed in the long-term course after SAH.