[Ultrastructure of the hematoencephalic barrier in subarachnoid hemorrhage and effect of phenobarbital].

Electron and light microscopies were used to study capillary and astrocytic structural changes by modelling subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and by using oral phenobarbital. The ultrastructural changes determining hydropic disorders and brain edema were found to achieve its maximum on day 3 after SAH. They were manifested by the lamination of the basement membrane, edema of cytoplasm and processes of astrocytes, their cytoplasmic structural depletion. Day 7 was marked by the recovery of impaired structures that became normal by day 14. Phenobarbital could accelerate elimination of hydropic changes. The recovery observed on day 7 was similar to that on day 14 without phenobarbital.