Neuropathological changes related to the transorbital application of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate adhesive to the basal cerebral arteries of cats.

The long-term toxic effects of ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate adhesive were evaluated histologically in 25 cats. Fresh medical- or commercial-grade adhesive was introduced transorbitally into the subarachnoid space in the vicinity of the right middle cerebral artery. Three sham-operated animals served as controls. The animals were sacrificed at intervals ranging from 2 days to 6 months. For both medical- and commercial-grade adhesive, neuropathological examination disclosed acute and chronic granulomatous inflammation of the meninges and evidence of severe vascular damage, including vessel wall necrosis, inflammation, thrombosis, and occasionally hemorrhage. Most animals showed cerebral infarcts of variable size in the territories of distribution of the basal arteries which were in contact with adhesive. The results of this study show that ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate is capable of producing severe arterial and parenchymal damage. The risk of its deleterious effects should be weighed against its potential benefits. Clinical experience would suggest that ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate can be used in difficult situations as long as care is taken to protect the brain and local blood vessels.