Early changes of experimentally induced cerebral aneurysms in rats: scanning electron microscopic study

To obtain information about the early changes of experimentally induced cerebral aneurysms in rats, the luminal surface of branching areas of their cerebral arteries was examined with a scanning electron microscope. At the branching sites of major cerebral arteries in the control animals, the intima just distal to the apex markedly protruded into the lumen forming a linear bank-like intimal pad. Along and distal to this pad, there was a shallow long groove (juxta-apical groove). Such grooves were much deeper and wider in experimental animals than those in the control rats. By studying various stages of early aneurysmal changes, cerebral aneurysms were proven to develop from such grooves. In deep juxta-apical grooves and small aneurysms, round regenerated endothelial cells with a large number of microvilli were diffusely present. Degenerated cells with balloons and craters were observed intermingled with such regenerated cells. Interendothelial gaps were also seen. The present study showed the complex structure of the apex of arterial bifurcation in rats, including bank-like intimal pads. Such complex structures of the branching sites were considered to be responsible for the initiation of cerebral aneurysms due to endothelial injury possibly caused by turbulent flow there.