Brain macrophages in human cortical contusions as indicator of survival period

The aim of this study was to establish a morphologic time scheme
with which cases of cerebral contusion with unknown survival
periods can be dated. Our study of 275 cases was limited to
qualitative and quantitative changes in macrophages. The appearance
of macrophages and their distribution as well as their content of
neutral fat, esterified cholesterol, erythrocytes, siderin,
hematoidin, and ceroid were correlated with the survival period.
For each cytologic criterium, the observation period,
distribution-free limits of tolerance, and relative frequency of
identification in different survival periods were determined, and
the limits of confidence calculated. The findings permit the dating
of trauma in cases with unknown survival periods. Moreover, the
probability of this dating was calculated.