Technique for construction of an in vivo model of simulated pulmonary metastases.
OBJECTIVE
Existing methods used to simulate pulmonary metastases are unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to create a simple in vivo model of pulmonary metastases by endobronchial deployment of small high-density beads in anesthetized dogs.


METHODS
Commercially available decorative beads measuring 2 and 4 mm in diameter and of high density (600 to 1200 Hounsfield units) were deployed in the peripheral airways of anesthetized dogs using catheter and guide wire manipulations through an endotracheal tube.


RESULTS
A total of 65 beads were placed in five dogs. Computed tomography demonstrated that 41 (63%) were satisfactorily located in the lung periphery, 9 (14%) were unsatisfactorily located in large airways, and 15 (23%) were not visible.


CONCLUSIONS
The endobronchial deployment of small high-density beads in the peripheral airways of anesthetized dogs is a novel and effective technique for creation of an in vivo model of pulmonary metastases.
Johnson
M S
MS
Department of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA.
Coakley
F V
FV
Carmody
T J
TJ
Dreesen
R G
RG
Cohen
M D
MD
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed