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FIG 1. Images from a pilot study. After induction of general endotracheal anesthesia, the lumbar subarachnoid space was entered with a needle. A guidewire was introduced via the needle and directed cephalad; then, the needle was withdrawn, and the guidewire was used for coaxial advancement of the angioplasty balloon, mimicking the method used in vascular access for angiography.
A, Guidewire introduced via neural foramen (lateral approach) and ascending in spinal canal.
B, Angioplasty balloon introduced over guidewire. Proximal and distal markers on balloon are shown by arrows.
C, Example of an MR image of a 7-mm balloon (black arrow) inflated against the compressed spinal cord in animal 2 (white arrow).
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