Which is a cause of vasogenic cerebral edema?

• A. Ingested toxins
• B. Hydrocephalus
• C. Destructive lesions or trauma
• D. Interst edema due to cytotoxic swelling

Answer: (A)

Vasogenic edema happens when the blood-brain barrier is disrupted, allowing plasma fluid and proteins to leak into the extracellular space of the brain, especially the white matter. Ingested toxins can damage the vascular endothelium or trigger inflammatory processes that increase capillary permeability, producing this extracellular fluid buildup characteristic of vasogenic edema.

Hydrocephalus mainly leads to interstitial edema from CSF leaking into periventricular white matter due to increased intraventricular pressure, which is a different mechanism than primary BBB breakdown. Destructive lesions or trauma can cause BBB disruption and edema, but the toxin-related BBB injury is a clear, direct cause of vasogenic edema. The option describing interstitial edema due to cytotoxic swelling refers to intracellular swelling (cytotoxic edema), not the extracellular fluid accumulation seen in vasogenic edema.