title: Cannulation of the internal carotid artery in mice: a novel technique for intra-arterial delivery of therapeutics.
abstract: We have developed a novel minimally invasive technique for the intra-arterial delivery of therapeutics to the mouse brain. CD-1 mice were anesthetized and placed in a lateral decubitus position. A 10mm midline longitudinal incision was made over the thyroid bone. The omohyoid and sternomastoid muscles were retracted to expose the common carotid artery and external carotid artery (ECA). To maximize delivery of administered agents, the superior thyroid artery was ligated or coagulated, and the occipital artery and the pterygopalatine artery (PPA) were temporarily occluded with 6-0 prolene suture. The ECA was carefully dissected and a permanent ligature was placed on its distal segment while a temporary 6-0 prolene ligature was placed on the proximal segment in order to obtain a flow-free segment of vessel. A sterilized 169 μm outer diameter polyimide microcatheter was introduced into the ECA and advanced in retrograde fashion toward the carotid bifurcation. The catheter was then secured and manually rotated so that the microcatheter tip was oriented cephalad in the internal carotid artery (ICA). We were able to achieve reproducible results for selective ipsilateral hemispheric carotid injections of mannitol mediated therapeutics and/or gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent. Survival rates were dependent on the administered agent and ranged from 78 to 90%. This technique allows for reproducible delivery of agents to the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere by utilizing anterograde catheter placement and temporary ligation of the PPA. This method is cost-effective and associated with a low rate of morbimortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States; Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Core Facility (CBIC), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: alejandrosantillanmd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santillan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States; Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Core Facility (CBIC), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: davidgeorgerubin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.affiliation: Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Core Facility (CBIC), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Radiology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: conorpfoley@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Conor P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: dos2011@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Dolan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sondhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: geneticmedicine@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Ronald G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Crystal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States; Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Core Facility (CBIC), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: yvg2001@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Y Pierre
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Gobin
authors.affiliation: Citigroup Biomedical Imaging Core Facility (CBIC), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States; Department of Radiology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: djb2001@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Douglas J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ballon
mesh_terms: D017546:Angioscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000601:surgery*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic / Q000494:pharmacology; D005070:Evans Blue / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic; D008353:Mannitol; D005070:Evans Blue; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
keywords: Internal carotid artery; Intra-arterial; Mannitol; Microcatheter; Mouse