Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2011, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (6): 690-694.

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An innovative primary spinal cord injury model of rat cervical spinal dislocation fracture

XU Zhun1, JIANG Hui1, HUANG Zhi-ping1, YE Shi-dong2, WU Xiu-hua1, ZHU Qing-an1, CHEN Jian-ting1   

  1. 1.Department of Spine Surgery, the Nanfang Hospital,  Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China; 2.Guangzhou Electronic Technology Co., Ltd, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, China.
  • Received:2011-07-14 Online:2011-11-25 Published:2011-12-12

Abstract:

Objective To develop a clinical relevant primary spinal cord injury (SCI) rat model due to cervical spinal dislocation fracture. Methods A SCI device leading to cervical spinal dislocation fracture was developed based on cervical vertebrae anatomy of SD rats. A rostral clamp connected to a stereotaxic apparatus held C3 and C4 and kept stationary during injury, while a caudal clamp held C5 and C6 and was connected to a material testing machine. The caudal clamp was driven dorsally at a constant speed and returned to the original position, producing C4~5 dislocation fracture and spinal cord injury. The C4~5 dislocation fracture up to 1.90mm at 2mm/s was produced on eight male SD rats using the aforementioned method. The rats were perfused intracardially right after injury. One set of sections from each cord was stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Total hemorrhage in the cord was calculated. Results All C4~5 intervertebral discs were ruptured at C4 inferior endplate with an average of rupture displacement of (1.00±0.17) mm and the maximal force of (12.7±5.1) N. Two symmetrical hemorrhage strips or points were observed on all spinal cords in the experimental group. The hemorrhage was mainly located in the gray matter and scattered in the white matter more dorsally than ventrally. The average of total hemorrhage was (2.46×10-3±1.26×10-3) ml. Conclusions The model can produce cervical vertebrae dislocation fracture and primary spinal cord injury, and is a clinical relevant animal model for SCI study.

Key words: Primary spinal cord injury, Cervical spine, Model, Dislocation fracture, SD rat

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