Improved rabbit brain tumor model amenable to diagnostic radiographic procedures.

The VX2 carcinoma was used to create a rabbit brain tumor model. VX2 tumors were chemically dissociated and suspended in liquid medium. Twenty-five microliters of the tumor suspension containing 3 X 10(3), 3 X 10(4), or 3 X 10(5) viable tumor cells were injected through cranial burr holes 6 mm into the right frontoparietal lobes of 17 rabbits. Fifteen of these developed histologically documented nodular intraparenchymal tumors. Tumors were demonstrable with cerebral computed tomographic scans and by cerebral angiography. The feasibility of surgical resection of lesions using the fluorescein staining technique was also demonstrated. This animal brain tumor model is suitable for neuro-oncology research focusing on imaging and therapeutic techniques.