title: Properties and Storage Methods of the Stratathane ST-504-Based Neurosurgical Tumor Model: Comprehensive Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Constrains on neurosurgical residents' work hours demand innovative teaching models to complement the traditional "in the operating room" model. Stratathane ST-504 (Strata-Tech, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, USA) has been proposed as a useful artificial neurosurgical tumor model. The consistency, dissectability, and radio-opacity of this model strongly depend on its preparation and storage. However, little work has addressed the interplay of these properties. Hence our study was undertaken to explore the properties of ST-504, its preparation, and storage and how these interactions affect its radio-opacity and consistency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tumor mixture was prepared by mixing 4.5 mL of water, 1.5 mL of computed tomography contrast medium, 2 mL of ST-504, and 0.5 mg turmeric powder. The tumor mixture was either allowed to solidify, yielding solid tumor blocks, or injected into an anatomic specimen to create a tumor model. Both tumor blocks and tumor model were stored at different temperature, under different storage conditions and for different time. Their volumes, computed tomography appearance, and consistency were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tumor blocks stored in water or ethanol absorbed fluid, resulting in enlargement and associated decrease in radiodensity and consistency. The same results were displayed by the tumor implanted in cadaveric specimen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For any given ratio of ST-504/water, the time sequence after polymer solidification and the storage method determine the computed tomography appearance and consistency of the tumor block/model. When taking these properties into consideration, ST-504-based artificial tumor models can be customized for different dissection practices, from more solid (meningioma-like) to less solid (schwannoma-like) models.
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Dardinger Microneurosurgical Skull Base Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Jung-Shun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Dardinger Microneurosurgical Skull Base Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Al-Rahim A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tailor
authors.affiliation: Dardinger Microneurosurgical Skull Base Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lamki
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Dardinger Microneurosurgical Skull Base Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Electronic address: lemoko60@me.com.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ammirati
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011108:Polymers; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers
keywords: Artificial tumor model; Microsurgery; Resident training; Stratathane ST-504