Abstract
BackgroundAnatomical differences between humans and domestic mammals preclude the use of reported stereotactic approaches to the brainstem in animals. In animals, brainstem biopsies are required both for histopathological diagnosis of neurological disorders and for research purposes. Sheep are used as a translational model for various types of brain disease and therefore a species-specific approach needs to be developed. The aim of the present study was to establish a minimally invasive, accurate and reproducible stereotactic approach to the brainstem of sheep, using the magnetic resonance imaging guided BrainsightTM frameless stereotactic system.ResultsA transoccipital transcerebellar approach with an entry point in the occipital bone above the vermis between the transverse sinus and the external occipital protuberance was chosen. This approach provided access to the target site in all heads. The overall mean needle placement error was 1.85 ± 1.22 mm.ConclusionsThe developed transoccipital transcerebellar route is short, provides accurate access to the ovine caudal cranial fossa and is a promising approach to be further assessed in live animals.
Highlights
Anatomical differences between humans and domestic mammals preclude the use of reported stereotactic approaches to the brainstem in animals
Brainstem biopsies are required both for histopathological diagnosis of neurological disorders and for research purposes
Sheep are used as a translational model for various types of brain diseases in humans [25,26,27] and brainstem biopsies are necessary to investigate the neuropathogenesis of listeric rhombencephalitis, the most frequent central nervous system disease of ruminants
Summary
Anatomical differences between humans and domestic mammals preclude the use of reported stereotactic approaches to the brainstem in animals. Brainstem biopsies are required both for histopathological diagnosis of neurological disorders and for research purposes. Three different approaches to the brainstem have been described in people: the transtentorial, transfrontal and suboccipital transcerebellar route [11,12,13]. Targets located along the midline of the brainstem and for lesions in the caudal part of the medulla oblongata, a transfrontal coronal route is used, whereas for lesions located laterally or within the cerebellum, In animals, brainstem biopsies are required both for histopathological diagnosis of neurological disorders and for research purposes. Sheep are used as a translational model for various types of brain diseases in humans [25,26,27] and brainstem biopsies are necessary to investigate the neuropathogenesis of listeric rhombencephalitis, the most frequent central nervous system disease of ruminants. The anatomical differences between species do not allow methods developed in humans to be transferred directly to the sheep
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