Development of an improved canine model of percutaneous spinal cord compression injury by balloon catheter.

We developed a minimally invasive canine model of spinal cord injury (SCI). A balloon catheter was inserted into the epidural space via the lumbosacral space, and inflated between L2 and L3 for 30 or 60 min under fluoroscopic guidance. Motor function after SCI was assessed using modified Tarlov scale. All seven dogs showed complete paraplegia after the procedure, neurological problems were evident and the modified Tarlov scores remained at zero after the SCI procedure; no improvement in clinical signs was observed. The dogs underwent 3T MR imaging at 3 days and 1 year after SCI. Histopathologic examinations were conducted at 2 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year after SCI. In the present study, we described an animal model of minimally invasive spinal cord injury using a balloon catheter without laminectomy under fluoroscopic guidance. And, this percutaneous spinal cord compression injury model has many potential applications. The described percutaneous spinal cord compression injury model offers a new means of administering SCI and has many potential applications.