title: [A modified goat model of acute spinal cord compression injury from a percutaneous balloon catheter: method feasibility and preliminary observation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a goat model of acute spinal cord compression injury through a modified percutaneous technique with a Foley double-lumen urine catheter and explore the method feasibility and preliminary observation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve adult male Chongming goats were randomly divided into 3 groups:control (A, n = 4), 0.5 ml compression (B, n = 4) and 1 ml compression (C, n = 4). After local anesthesia, all animals received epidural balloon catheter (5Fr) insertion via a percutaneous trans-lumbosacral interlaminar space technique that mimicked the method used in vascular access for angiography. The balloon catheter was advanced under fluoroscopic guidance until its distal tip reached the middle of T6 level.One week later, for groups B and C, the balloon was inflated by half-strength contrast material, 0.5 ml and 1 ml, respectively. The balloon was left inflated for 30 min and then deflated. The images of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) were taken before and after surgical procedures.Quantitative assessment of spine canal occupying rate was accomplished by an off-line software program based on CT results. Motor function was assessed by the modified Tarlov scale. Two animals of each group were sacrificed after a total observation period of 48 h and 72 h respectively.Spinal cords from the injured level were then obtained for pathologic examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All animals underwent successful catheterization occupying 6.8%±0.7% (Group A), 6.7%±0.7% (Group B) and 6.6%±0.6% (Group C) of spine canal respectively. After inflation, the occupying rate of groups B and C achieved 43.4%±2.5% and 88.1%±2.3% respectively.Ventral compression of spinal cord was noted on MR images.Hindlimb movement remained normal after catheter insertion in all groups. All animals in group B and C became paraplegic after inflation. And a positive correlation existed between injection volume and Tarlov score. Pathological findings confirmed neuron atrophy, increased gap around neurons, mild demyelination and vacuolar degeneration both in groups B and C at 48 h after injury. Pathological changes deteriorated at 72 h after injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of behavioral evaluation, radiographic images and pathological examination reveal an evidence of acute spinal cord injury. Percutaneous epidural balloon catheter insertion differs from previous techniques by avoiding surgical exposure and associated artifacts, yet it offers injury mechanisms similar to those of human spinal cord injury. As a new means of modeling spinal cord injury in animals, this technique has many potential applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Feng-ning
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Qing-xin
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yi-bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yi-xing
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Cang-long
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China. Email: shenhxgk@126.com.
authors.forename: Hong-xing
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006041:Goats; D008297:Male; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries