Intracranial Pressure Assessments - Animal Models of Acute Neurological Injuries: Injury and Mechanistic Assessments - page 379

4.2.3. Cisternal ICP
Measurements

1. Expose the atlanto-occipital membrane
Note : Place the rat in a prone position on the stereotactic table.
Antefl exion of the head at an angle of 45° leads to maximal
exposure of the cisterna magna.
2. Pierce with a 22-gauge needle
3. Insert cisterna magna catheter (PE-50 tubing) under micro-
scopic visualization
4. Connect fl uid-fi lled line to external ICP transducer
5. Anchor cannula with, for example, a small skull screw and
dental cement

4.3. Sampling CSF

1. CSF can be collected (50-150 l in rats) via the needle/PE

tube after ventricular or cisternal cannulation.
2. Store samples in 4°C if analysis of stable substances is per-
formed on the same day, otherwise store at −70°C.

μ

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