Here, percutaneous spinal cord injury (SCI) methods using a balloon catheter in adult rats are described. A balloon catheter was inserted into the epidural space through the lumbosacral junction and then inflated between T9-T10 for 10min under fluoroscopic guidance. Animals were divided into three groups with respect to inflation volume: 20 microL (n = 18), 50 microL (n = 18) and control (Fogarty catheter inserted but not inflated; n = 10). Neurological assessments were then made based on BBB score, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology. Both inflation volumes produced complete paralysis. Gradual recovery of motor function occurred when 20 microL was used, but not after 50 microL was applied. In the 50 microL group, all gray and white matter was lost from the center of the lesion. In addition, supramaximal damage was noted, which likely prevented spontaneous recovery. This percutaneous spinal cord compression injury model is simple, rapid with high reproducibility and the potential to serve as a useful tool for investigation of pathophysiology and possible protective treatments of SCI in vivo.
Animals ; Balloon Embolectomy/*methods ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Compression/*therapy

OBJECTIVETo present one cases of the use of balloon catheter in surgical treatment of renal angiomyolipoma involving the renal vein and vena cava as a tumor thrombus and review literatures.

METHODSAbdominal ultrasound and CT and MRI demonstrated a large right renal mass with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. Right nephrectomy and en-bloc removal of the intra caval tumor thrombus were performed. A balloon catheter was used to block vena cava under the level of liver vena during the operation.

RESULTSThe pathological diagnosis was angiomyolipoma. The length of the tumor thrombus was 6.5 cm. The patient recovered well 1 year after surgery.

CONCLUSIONRenal angiomyolipoma with a tumor thrombus should be paid more attention.

Adult ; Angiomyolipoma ; complications ; surgery ; Balloon Occlusion ; Embolectomy ; methods ; Embolism ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Liver ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery ; Nephrectomy ; Vena Cava, Inferior

OBJECTIVETo improve the treatment of renal neoplasm with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava.

METHODSFrom May 2005 to May 2006, 9 cases of renal neoplasm with tumor thrombus were treated with balloon catheters to block inferior vena cava under the level of liver vena during the operations. Among the patients, 6 were male and 3 were female. The patients were from 20 to 76 years old (average 53).

RESULTSAll cases were succeed by transabdominal incisions. The average length of tumor thrombus was 5.0 cm (3.0 - 6.7 cm). The blood pressure and heart rate were stable during operations. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The follow up ranged from 6 to 18 months. One patient died at 6 months after surgery. The others lived well.

CONCLUSIONThe use of balloon catheter during surgical treatment of renal neoplasm with inferior vena cava thrombus is suitable for type II and III tumor thrombus.

Adult ; Aged ; Balloon Occlusion ; Embolectomy ; methods ; Embolism ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Liver ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vena Cava, Inferior