Abstract
PURPOSES: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure elevation may worsen spinal cord ischaemia after spinal cord injury (SCI). We developed a rat model to investigate relationships between CSF pressure and spinal cord blood flow (SCBF). METHODS: Male Wistar rats had SCI induced at Th10 (n = 7) or a sham operation (n = 10). SCBF was measured using laser-Doppler and CSF pressure via a sacral catheter. Dural integrity was assessed using subdural methylene-blue injection (n = 5) and myelography (n = 5). RESULTS: The SCI group had significantly lower SCBF (p < 0.0001) and higher CSF pressure (p < 0.0001) values compared to the sham-operated group. Sixty minutes after SCI or sham operation, CSF pressure was 8.6 ± 0.4 mmHg in the SCI group versus 5.5 ± 0.5 mmHg in the sham-operated group. No dural tears were found after SCI. CONCLUSION: Our rat model allows SCBF and CSF pressure measurements after induced SCI. After SCI, CSF pressure significantly increases.