Motor and histological findings in a model of sci: comparison between posterior and lateral clips

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the locomotor and histological impact on the spinal cord comparing lateral and posterior clip placement. Method: Randomized experimental trial. Twenty female Wistar rats, weighing between 250 and 300 grams and aged 12-14 weeks were randomized in two groups according to the placement of the clip: lateral group (N=10) and posterior group (N=10). After exposing the thoracic segment of the spine (T8-T10), a laminectomy was performed at the T9 level under microscopic view. The spinal cord injury was made using a 5 mm long aneurysm clip with a closing pressure of 50 grams. Locomotor behavior was evaluated by the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale in days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after surgery. The area of injury was assessed by histological analysis and measured by a software. Results: The histological evaluation showed a larger mean area of 4.8±1mm² of lesion (P=0.03) in the lateral group when compared with the posterior group mean area of 2.3±2mm². There was no significant difference between lateral and posterior groups with respect to locomotor scores from day 1 to 28 (P=0.361). Conclusion: The lesion area observed in the spinal cord histology after lateral placement of a clip was significantly bigger than in the posterior placement. The motor evaluation showed similar BBB scores regardless of the type of clamping method.

A Novel Acute Discogenic Myelopathy Model Using Merocel® Sponge: Comparison With Clip Compression Model in Rats

“…We found that SCI induced by Merocel ® expansion resulted in better locomotor function and less severe histological changes, including hemorrhage, inflammatory cell recruitment, and spared white matter in the core region, compared to SCI induced by clip compression. 10) These results suggest that the Merocel ® model simulates incomplete SCI and may represent therapeutic decompressive laminectomy for discogenic incomplete SCI.…”

“…Therefore, previous animal studies used blunt trauma injury patterns such as contusion or compression in 62% of studies. 10 31) The severity of injury was complete in 52% and incomplete in 48% of studies. 31) Compression models are helpful to simulate compression and contusion, which are common in human SCIs, and to study the effects of therapy.…”