Interaction between neurogenic pulmonary edema and thoracic 3 DRG degeneration following spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage; first experimental study

Abstract

Aim: Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is still one of the most catastrophic complications with its high morbidity and mortality rate. Systemic sympathetic hyperactivity has been considered in the pathogenesis, but it has not been clarified. In this study, the relationship between the degeneration of Th3 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and developing NPE following spinal SAH was investigated.

Methods: The study was conducted on 23 rabbits. Five of them were used as the control group (n=5), and the remainder was divided into the SHAM group (n=5) and the study group (n=13). The correlation between degenerated neuronal densities of Th3 nerve axons and neurons in DRG and NPE scores were analyzed statistically Results: A correlation between the study and the SHAM group was found for neuronal degeneration Th3 nerve, its DRG, and high NPE scores. Massive NPE was detected in the study group along with neural degeneration of Th3 axons and ganglia.

Conclusion: The present study indicates that neurogenic pulmonary edema and pulmonary artery vasospasm can be prevented by reducing Th3 DRG degeneration.