Abstract
BackgroundSyringomyelia is a common spinal cord lesion. However, whether CSF blockage is linked to the formation and enlargement of syringomyelia is still controversial. The current model of syringomyelia needs modification to more closely mimic the clinical situation.MethodsWe placed cotton strips under the T13 lamina of 40 8-week-old rats and blocked CSF flow by extradural compression. After 4 and 8 weeks, MRI was performed to evaluate the morphology of syringomyelia and the ratio of spinal cord diameter to syrinx diameter calculated. Locomotor function was evaluated weekly. Spinal cord sections, staining and immunohistochemistry were performed 8 weeks after surgery, the ratio of the central canal to the spinal cord area was calculated, and ependymal cells were counted. In another experiment, we performed decompression surgery for 8 rats with induced syringomyelia at the 8th week after surgery. During the surgery, the cotton strip was completely removed without damaging the dura mater. Then, the rats received MRI imaging during the following weeks and were sacrificed for pathological examination at the end of the experiment.ResultsSyringomyelia formed in 82.5% (33/40) of rats at the 8-week follow-up. The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scores of rats in the experimental group decreased from 21.0±0.0 to 18.0 ±3.9 in the first week after operation but returned to normal in later weeks. The BBB score indicated that the locomotor deficit caused by compression is temporary and can spontaneously recover. MRI showed that the syrinx is located in the center of the spinal cord, which is very similar to the most common syringomyelia in humans. The ratio of the central canal to the spinal cord area reached (2.9 ± 2.0) × 10−2, while that of the sham group was (5.4 ± 1.5) × 10−4. The number of ependymal cells lining the central canal was significantly increased (101.9 ± 39.6 vs 54.5 ± 3.4). There was no syrinx or proliferative inflammatory cells in the spinal cord parenchyma. After decompression, the syringomyelia size decreased in 50% (4/8) of the rats and increased in another 50% (4/8).ConclusionExtradural blockade of CSF flow can induce syringomyelia in rats. Temporary locomotor deficit occurred in some rats. This reproducible rat model of syringomyelia, which mimics syringomyelia in humans, can provide a good model for the study of disease mechanisms and therapies.
Highlights
Syringomyelia is a common spinal cord lesion
Cotton strips weighing 15 mg were stuffed under the T13 lamina to compress the spinal cord from the extradural space and block Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow
These results indicate that the compression caused by the operation, rather than an operation only, causes certain damage to the spinal cord, causing a decrease in locomotor function
Summary
Syringomyelia is a common spinal cord lesion. whether CSF blockage is linked to the formation and enlargement of syringomyelia is still controversial. After the factors causing syringomyelia are removed and CSF circulation is restored, the prognosis of patients is variable, and the syringomyelia of many patients does not resolve [10, 11]. This phenomenon is unclear and requires further study. Previous models have been limited by difficult operations and a high incidence of complications These factors have limited the experimental study of the molecular mechanisms and therapeutics for syringomyelia. Extradural compression was used to obstruct CSF flow and duplicate canalicular syringomyelia in rats
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
