An experimental model of traumatic nasoethmoidal cerebrospinal fluid fistula

J Craniofac Surg. 2008 Mar;19(2):441-5. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e3181506477.

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid fistula secondary to head trauma is a potentially dangerous problem and precise localization and radical treatment is mandatory. The diagnostic technique is either computed tomography cisternography or MR cisternography. For evaluating the safety of diagnostic modalities and efficacy of treatment especially in terms of surgery, animal studies demonstrating traumatic cerebrospinal fistula model are indispensable not only for neurosurgeons but also for neuroradiologists. The authors in this paper describe a traumatic cerebrospinal fistula in an animal model using rabbits. The cerebrospinal fluid leakage was demonstrated successfully in all eight rabbits and was verified by computed tomography cisternography. The results led us to conclude that rabbit model of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid fistula is safe and has low mortality and morbidity rates. Further studies including larger number of animals should be considered in order to verify safety more accurately.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebral Ventriculography / methods
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / etiology*
  • Contrast Media
  • Cranial Fossa, Anterior / injuries
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / complications*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dura Mater / injuries
  • Ethmoid Bone / injuries*
  • Iopamidol / analogs & derivatives
  • Male
  • Nasal Cavity / injuries*
  • Rabbits
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • iomeprol
  • Iopamidol