Postmortem Image Analysis of Sheep Cortical Leptomeningeal Space and Vasculature: Theoretical Implications on Brain Surface Dialysis

Abstract

The vascular surface distribution of the subarachnoid space has not been studied extensively. The aim of our study was to develop a method of computer-assisted estimation of the distribution of the vascular network in the cortical leptomeninges and subarachnoid space and model it to aid the study of the physiology of brain surface dialysis. Nine sheets of leptomeningeal tissue were obtained from adult sheep. Fourteen image sample areas of 4 cm(2) each were acquired and processed with ImageJ. The vascular and nonvascular areas of the cortical subarachnoid space were identified using a "projected surface" approach. The modeling equations were used to predict the behavior of brain surface dialysis processes. The mean surface area of identified subarachnoid vessels was 0.354 +/- 0.02 cm(2) per 1 cm(2) of tissue. The mean meningeal area with unidentified vessels was 0.646 +/- 0.02 cm(2)/1 cm(2), and the difference between these surfaces was significant (p < 0.0001). The modeling equations used predict that modifying the vessel diameter of the subarachnoid space could alter the efficiency of brain surface dialysis. The computer-assisted modeling of the vascular surface of the cortical subarachnoid space may be a useful tool in depicting its morphology and assessing the physiology during brain surface dialysis. ASAIO Journal 2011; 57:388-394.