Alterations at the cellular level in the brain following repeated angiography: protective effect of corticosteroids

Repeated injections of angiographic contrast media disrupt the blood-brain barrier and lead to transient cerebral edema in the normal experimental animal brain. The corticosteroid, dexamethasone, protects against the development of this edema without altering the effect of the contrast media on the tight junctions between adjacent endothelial cells. Indirect evidence is presented to support the theory that the corticosteroids function to maintain the integrity of the endothelial cells.