Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2013, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (6): 696-701.

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Developing intervertebral disc degeneration at rabbit lumber spine by using low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation 

ZHOU Wei1, XU Yi-chun1, LUO Zhong-xin2, WANG Qi-you1, YU Dong-qing2, WEI Jia-dong1, YU Hao-tao1, ZHAO Fei1   

  1. 1.Department of Spine Surgery, 2. Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yet-sat University, Guangzhou 510630, China
  • Received:2013-05-21 Online:2013-11-25 Published:2013-12-16

Abstract:

Objective To develop a new intervertebral disc(IVD) degeneration animal model by plasma radiofrequency ablation. Methods 24 New Zealand white rabbits were equally divided into the experimental group and control group. L3/4~L5/6 IVDs were punctured and ablated for 30 seconds in the experimental group and t were just punctured in the control group. DR imaging studies, MR imaging studies and histological analysis were performed prior to surgery and 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery to monitor progression of IVDs degeneration. Results The DR and MR examinations showed degeneration signs like lost of IVD height and T2 density. The control group showed no significant changes in DR and MR scan after 4 weeks. Both groups showed no lost of nucleus pulposus in the early time points and the experimental group showed lost of nucleus pulposus and derangement of the IVD structure. Conclusions The practicable and reproducible animal IVD degeneration model proposed in this paper is more stable than the previous puncture model.

Key words: Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation, Intervertebral disc degeneration, Animal model, Rabbit

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