Effect of dexamethasone on cerebral edema from cranial impact in the cat

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Abstract
Using a Remington Humane Stunner, blows were delivered to the skulls of anesthetized cats. Alternate animals were post-treated with either dexamethasone (4 mg/kg per day) or a comparable volume of saline. Each animal was tested for cerebral edema 48 h after impact by measurement of the change in density of white matter from normal values. Dexamethasone therapy did not reduce the change in density of hemispheres with contusions involving both cortex and underlying white matter. For hemispheres with contusions limited to cerebral cortex, there was minimal edema of the white matter, which was reduced a slight amount of dexamethasone.