The SEM observation of brain tissues and vascular corrosion cast of closed diffuse brain injuries

The morphologic changes of the closed injured brain of rats were observed by SEM. The rats either died immediately after conclusive injuries or were killed after 5 minutes to 5 days after injuries. The main changes were as follows: the diffuse disorder, twist, wave-like distortion and break of neuron fibers; axonal swelling; formation of axonal retraction balls; stripping and denotation of myelin sheath The ball-like swelling of neuron, break of neuron membrane and vascular wall, and microthrombus formations were also observed. These damages worsened with prolongation of surviving time of the rats. The axonal retraction ball appeared 8 hours after the injury and was approximately 3-5 cm in diameter, and developed to 7-8 cm after 3-5 days. It is observed that frontal lobe, cerebellum and brain stem were severely damaged.