Comparison of two modified methods of intrathecal catheterization in rats

The study designed to compare two different methods of intrathecal catheterization in rats and to develop a simple and safe drug administration in cervical spinal canal of rats. The subarachnoid catheterization was performed via either atlanto-occipital membrane or laminectomy at L3–4 in rats. Body weight, Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotion rating scores and forelimb locomotor rating scale (FLS) were measured on pre-operative day 1 and postoperative day 1, 7, 14, respectively. FLS score of 37.5% rats and BBB score of 50% rats in the atlanto-occipital approach (AOA) group decreased, but no rats showed locomotor impairment in the lumber approach (LA) group. The mean body weight of rats in AOA group reduced significantly compared with LA group. In LA group, 62.5% of catheter tips were located at T1, and in AOA group, the tips of catheter located at C2 in 62.5% cases. The PE10 catheter can be successfully inserted into the spinal intrathecal space for chronic delivery of drugs either via L3–L4 interlaminar space or via atlanto-occipital membrane. And the subarachnoid catheterization via L3–L4 interlaminar space could be easily placed at T1 with little complication.