The Lucite Calvarium—A Method for Direct Observation of the Brain

Abstract

I N A :PREVIOUS report 23 an experimental surgical technic in which the convex portion of the monkey skull is replaced by a transparent lucite calvarium was described. Because a large area of both cerebral hemispheres is exposed through the lucite window, the method is ideally suited for the study of intracranial phenomena under closed box conditions. I t may be of interest to mention that the technic was developed primarily to study the effects of cranial trauma on the underlying brain. The patterns of brain motion resulting from blows to both the freely movable and the immobile head were recorded by high-speed cinematography. I t is stressed that these experiments were conducted to study the motion patterns of the cerebral mass and any other visible physical change. I t is not a study of cerebral concussion. Although brain movement and concussion are probably closely interrelated the mechanism of concussion is not explainable in the light of our findings. I t is hoped, however, that this study may furnish additional data toward the eventual solution of the problem of cerebral concussion. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND