Treatment Model of Experimental Syringomyelia by CSF Shunting-A Preliminary Report

In the present report, we studied the effect of cerebrospinal fluid drainage on experimental syringomyelia. (Materials and Methods) Experimental syringomyelia was induced by intracisternal injection of kaolin-saline solution to six Japanese white rabbits. Five weeks after the injection of kaolin-saline solution, the presence of hydrocephalus and syringomyelia was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After confirmation of syringomyelic cavity, ventriculo-subgaleal shunt (V-S shunt) was performed to four rabbits. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which collected in the subgaleal space was removed daily. One week after the V-S shunt, MRI showed the reduction of syringomyelic cavity in this rabbit. The brain and spinal cord specimens were investigated histologically. (Results) Syringomyelic cavity was reduced in size in the rabbit. The sections of upper and middle cervical spinal cord demonstrated the large parenchymal destruction and absence of ependymal lining. On the lower cervical and the upper thoracic spinal cord, the sections demonstrated the tear and deformation of the central canal. (Conclusion) We established the experimental model of syringomyelia which can be treated by cerebrospinal fluid shunting and evaluated by MRI.