[Ultrastructural manifestations of brain edema--swelling in neurooncologic patients]

Bioptic material of the cerebral cortex was studied by electron microscopy in 9 patients with brain tumors and a different degree of the hypertension syndrome. The predominance of cell swelling and marked intracellular redistribution of fluid were demonstrated. Intercellular edema appears with the increase in the severity of the hypertension syndrome. The volumetric changes of the capillaries are due to the swelling of all the components of their wall, perivascular astroglia and the accumulation of poorly metabolized metabolites in the cytoplasm of pericytes, endotheliocytes, and pericapillary gliocytes.