Abstract
We describe a new experimental model of fetal hydrocephalus in the lamb. 14 sheep were operated on at 100–120 days gestation for the insertion of a catheter into the fetal aqueduct of Sylvius, to block cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. After the operation the intracranial pressure (ICP) was measured daily from the distal end of the catheter. The progress of ventricular dilatation was recorded by ultrasound. At ICP 100 mm/H2O the animals were killed for postmortem examination of the fetuses. Neuropathological examination showed massive dilatation of the ventricles. The ependymal cells appeared to be flat and the cellular lining disrupted. Growth of pseudocysts, cellular stratification and proliferation of the paraventricular germinal cells were observed also. With our new experimental model we were able to control the rise in ICP and correlate the evolution of the anatomical damage with the duration of high ICP and with the gestational age at which it began. Our model can also be used at early stages of gestation for reversing the development of hydrocephalus. It might therefore provide information on the suitability of fetal hydrocephlus surgery.
Sommario
Gli AA. presentano un modello sperimentale di idrocefalo fetale ottenuto in pecore gravide al 100° giorno di gestazione, introducendo un catetere nell’acquedotto di Silvio. L’idrocefalo viene monitorizzato mediante ultrasuoni e la misurazione della pressione del liquido cerebrospinale. Gli animali vengono sacrificati quando la pressione intracranica raggiunge i 100 mm di H2O. Lo studio neuropatologico, rispetto a casi di controllo a periodi di età gestazionale, evidenzia una marcata dilatazione dei ventricoli, un appiattimento dello strato cellulare ependimale, una proliferazione delle cellule germinali periventricolari, presenza di pseudorosette cellulari nella sostanza bianca subependimale.
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Di Trapani, G., Garzetti, G.G., La Cara, A. et al. Congenital hydrocephalus: A new experimental model with histopathological study. Ital J Neuro Sci 11, 567–572 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02337439
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02337439