2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program: Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018

Thoracolumbar vertebral columns were harvested from 3 adult canine cadavers. CT scans were acquired and rendered as 3-D surface models. Stereolithograph models were generated and printed by a stereolithography printer with clear methacrylate photoactivated resin. Cadaveric specimens were prepared by heated soft tissue maceration. Uniform measurements were acquired from T12 through L4 from the cadaver spines, CT images, and models. Neurological examinations were performed prior to the study and daily after surgery. A standard brain MRI with intravenous gadolinium contrast agent was performed immediately, 7 days and 30 days following surgery, after which the dogs were humanely euthanized for histopathological analysis of the brains. The presence of intratumoral chlorambucil indicated an altered blood brain barrier that varied from case to case. Despite sporadic previous reports of neurotoxicity, prolonged seizure-free intervals supported a high safety margin at this dose in this species. Metronomic chlorambucil was well tolerated. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt obstruction is a major complication in canine and human hydrocephalus, however obstruction typically occurs in the chronic setting. In order to develop a self-clearing ventricular catheter, a hydrocephalus model prone to early shunt obstruction would be beneficial. Autologous blood was injected into the right lateral ventricle of 32.3 ± 5.2 kg, male, 6 month old pigs during terminal (n=3) and survival (n=14) procedures. Median intraventricular intracranial pressures were 9 mmHg (baseline), 66 mmHg (peak) and 20 mmHg (6 minutes post-blood injection).