PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Marbacher, S.
AU  - Erhardt, S.
AU  - Schläppi, J.-A.
AU  - Coluccia, D.
AU  - Remonda, L.
AU  - Fandino, J.
AU  - Sherif, C.
TI  - Complex Bilobular, Bisaccular, and Broad-Neck Microsurgical Aneurysm Formation in the Rabbit Bifurcation Model for the Study of Upcoming Endovascular Techniques
AID  - 10.3174/ajnr.A2374
DP  - 2011 Apr 01
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
PG  - 772--777
VI  - 32
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/32/4/772.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/32/4/772.full
SO  - Am. J. Neuroradiol.2011 Apr 01; 32
AB  - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite rapid advances in the development of materials and techniques for endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment, occlusion of large broad-neck aneurysms remains a challenge. Animal models featuring complex aneurysm architecture are needed to test endovascular innovations and train interventionalists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven adult female New Zealand rabbits were assigned to 3 experimental groups. Complex bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck venous pouch aneurysms were surgically formed at an artificially created bifurcation of both CCAs. Three and 5 weeks postoperatively, the rabbits underwent 2D-DSA and CE-3D-MRA, respectively. RESULTS: Mortality was 0%. We observed no neurologic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal complications. The aneurysm patency rate was 91% (1 aneurysm thrombosis). There was 1 postoperative aneurysm hemorrhage (9% morbidity). The mean aneurysm volumes were 176.9 ± 63.6 mm3, 298.6 ± 75.2 mm3, and 183.4 ± 72.4 mm3 in bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck aneurysms, respectively. The mean operation time was 245 minutes (range, 175–290 minutes). An average of 27 ± 4 interrupted sutures (range, 21–32) were needed to create the aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating complex venous pouch bifurcation aneurysms in the rabbit with low morbidity, mortality, and high short-term aneurysm patency. The necks, domes, and volumes of the bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck aneurysms created are larger than those previously described. These new complex aneurysm formations are a promising tool for in vivo animal testing of new endovascular devices. BLbilobularBNbroad-neckBSbisaccularCCAcommon carotid arteryCE-3D-MRAcontrast-enhanced 3D MRADSAdigital subtraction angiography2D-DSA2D intra-arterial DSALCCAleft CCA (p-LCCA = proximal LCCA, d-LCCA = distal LCCA)MRAMR angiographyRCCAright CCATOFtime-of-flightVPvenous pouch