title: Modified technique to create morphologically reproducible elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to create morphologically reproducible elastase-induced model aneurysms in rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  We created 120 elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits using two different methods: the standard technique (group 1, n=62) and a modified technique (group 2, n=58). In the standard technique a small cutdown with a focal area of exposure of the mid-right common carotid artery (RCCA) was employed, while in the modified technique the RCCA was completely exposed to its origin. We measured aneurysm sizes (neck diameter, width and height) in the two groups. The aneurysm sizes were compared between the two groups using Student's t test, and the standard deviations of the aneurysm sizes were compared between the groups using the F test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean aneurysm neck size, width and height in group 1 were 3.4+/-1.2 mm, 3.8+/-1.0 mm and 8.0+/-1.7 mm, respectively, and in group 2, were 3.2+/-0.9 mm, 3.7+/-0.6 mm and 9.1+/-1.8 mm, respectively. The differences in mean aneurysm neck and width between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). However, there were significant differences in the standard deviation of these two parameters between the two groups (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). The mean aneurysm height in group 2 was larger than in group 1 (P<0.001), but no significant difference in the standard deviation of this parameter between the two groups was found (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that more consistent aneurysm diameters can be created using the modified technique.
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Yong Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Danielson
authors.forename: Ramanathan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kadirvel
authors.forename: Daying
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Debra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Harry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cloft
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kallmes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D011817:Rabbits; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D010196:Pancreatic Elastase