Experimental study of magnetic resonance imaging and pathologies in rats with C6 gliomas after cryotherapy

Abstract

Objective To explore the changes of imaging and pathologies in rots with bearing C6 gliomas after cryotherapy. Methods Animal models with subcutaneously transplanting C6 gliomas in the Wistar rates were established. Fifty-one rat models were randomized into sham-operated group (n=18), resection group (n=lS) and cryotherapy group (n=18). The tumors in the sham-operated group were exposed only and the tumors in the resection group were resected without the help of freezing system; the tumors in the cryotherapy group were performed argon-helium cryoablation. The changes of morphology and imaging were observed. TUNEL staining was employed to observe the cell apoptosis in the tumors. Results The tumors in the resection group were removed successfully by microsurgical resection. Cryotherapy group showed significantly enhanced T1WI signal and weak T2W1 signal after the treatment as compared with that before the treatment; no obvious difference of the MRI data was found between before and after the treatment in the sham-operated group. The cell apoptosis of the tumor was conformed in the cryotherapy group by Tunel staining; while only a few apoptotic cells were noted in the resection and sham-operated groups. Conclusion Cryotherapy can not only destroy the tumor cells but also induce the cell apoptosis, suggesting its great potential in the clinical management of gliomas. Key words: Glioma; Cryocare surgical system; Magnetic resonance imaging; Pathology