Technical note: a new model for quantitative analysis of brain oedema resolution into the ventricles and the subarachnoid space.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to develop an experimental animal model for quantitative analysis of oedema resolution via the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system using fluorescent oedema markers.

METHODS

Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) containing TRITC-albumin (MW 67.000D) and Na(+)-fluorescein (MW 376D) was continuously infused into the white matter of the left frontal lobe of New Zealand white rabbits (n = 6) at a rate of 100 microliters/h for 3 hrs. A closed cranial window for superfusion of the brain surface with artificial CSF fluid (3 ml/h) was implanted above the left parietal cortex for measurement of the fluorescence markers in the subarachnoid space. Uptake of the fluorescence indicators into the ventricles was quantified by ventriculo-cisternal perfusion (3 ml/h). The effluates were collected at 30 min intervals for 3 hrs after the start of infusion. Clearance of the oedema fluid into the perfusates was measured by fluorescence spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

At an intracranial pressure of 15.0 +/- 1.7 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) both indicators started to accumulate in the subarachnoid and ventricular perfusates at 90 min following onset of oedema fluid infusion. The concentrations of the indicators in the ventricular system increased to 7.7 +/- 5.1% of Na(+)-fluorescein and 16.1 +/- 13.0% of TRITC-albumin of the total amount infused were recovered in the ventricular system at 3 hours after start of the oedema infusion, while 3.4 +/- 3.2% of Na(+)-fluorescein and 3.7% +/- 3.2 of TRITC-albumin, respectively, were found in the effluates of the subarachnoid space.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates that resolution of vasogenic brain oedema into the cerebral ventricular system and the subarachnoid space following its entry into cerebral white matter can be quantitatively analysed using fluorescence markers, which serve as oedema fluid indicators. The results indicate that the oedema fluid is cleared not only into the ventricular system but also via the subarachnoid space.