Abstract
We used three types of specialized micro-balloons 0.7–1.35 mm in outer diameter instead of kaolin to develop a reproducible rat model of hydrocephalus with a low experimental mortality. The micro-balloon was inserted 6 mm deep into the cisterna magna via a burr hole immediately behind the lambda. The angle of introduction was 50°. We also set up kaolin-induced hydrocephalic models in 25 rats as controls. The kaolin model revealed 52% mortality with an 80% induction rate of hydrocephalus, while the balloon model showed 9% mortality with a 60% induction rate. Balloon-induced hydrocephalus was maximal at 1 week and tended to decrease after 2–3 weeks. The pathological findings were not different between the two models. We concluded that the micro-balloon model for hydrocephalus is an easily reproducible model with low experimental mortality.
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Received: 2 March 1998 Revised: 21 July 1998
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Kim, DS., Oi, S., Hidaka, M. et al. A new experimental model of obstructive hydrocephalus in the rat: the micro-balloon technique. Child's Nerv Syst 15, 250–255 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003810050385
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003810050385