OBJECTIVESTo investigate the findings of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathology in early postoperative normal brain, and to define the correlation between MR images and histopathology.

METHODSThirty-six New Zealand rabbits weighing 2.0 to 3.0 kg were divided into 10 groups according to different postoperative days: 1 to 10 days. A partial resection of the parietooccipital region was performed under usual aseptic conditions after the animals were anesthetized intravenously with 3% pentobarbital (30 mg/kg). MR imaging procedures consisted of pre- and postcontrast scanning and were carried out on postoperative days 1 to 10. Brain tissue samples were prepared for examination immediately after MR scanning. Histopathological examination was done under light both and electron microscopes. The findings of MR imaging were compared with histopathologic findings.

RESULTSSurgical margin contrast enhancement on MR images could be seen 24 hours after surgery. The degree of contrast enhancement increased gradually up to 5 days postoperation, and no remarkable changes were present from days 5 to 10. Disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) was the main cause of contrast enhancement during the first 3 postoperative days. After that period, the mechanism responsible for contrast enhancement was the formation of neovascularity and a broken BBB. An increase in the amount of neovascularity played a predominant role in contrast enhancement in normal postoperative brain tissue.

CONCLUSIONSThe features of enhanced MR images present at the surgical margin followed a typical time course during the early postoperative period. The role of neovascularity and BBB disruption in the formation of contrast enhancement at the surgical margin varies with time. Knowledge of the features of contrast enhancement in postoperative MR images of normal brain can help in differentiating benign changes from residual malignant glioma.