The pathology of experimental obstructive hydrocephalus. A scanning electron microscopic study.

Obstructive hydrocephalus was produced in 14-day old rabbits by injection of kaolin into the cisterna magna. The ependymal lining was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Marked hydrocephalus was present 1 or 2 weeks after the kaolin injection. The ependymal lining adapted remarkably well to the rapid expansion by increasing the surface area of the ependymal cells. No breaks or denudement of the ependymal lining was observed except at the sites of ruptured ventricular synechiae. Generally, these findings confirm previous light and electron microscopic observations on the same model (Torvik et al. 1976; Torvik and Stenwig 1977). The results are discussed in relation to current theories concerning the pathophysiology of acute hydrocephalus.