Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Cerebral vasospasm after aSAH remains a major contributor to
poor outcome, morbidity and mortality. To gain insight into mor-
phological as well as functional changes of the cerebral vasculature,
the chronic cranial window model has been applied by several
research groups (
10-12
).
Besides the standard evaluation technique, fl uorescence micros-
copy with epi-illumination, novel techniques like confocal and
multi-photon microscopy can give further insight to microcircula-
tory changes, even in subcortical brain areas.
The following sections outline the materials and procedures,
which are necessary for the preparation of the chronic cranial win-
dow and give a brief overview about different assessment tools.
2. Materials and
Instruments for
Cranial Window
Preparation
1. Stereotaxic head holder (David Kopf Instruments, Modell 900).
2. Microsurgical high speed drill (e.g. High Speed Micro Drill #
18000-17, Fine Science Tools, North Vancouver, Canada)
with a tip size of 0.5 mm.
3. Operating microscope (Karl Zeiss, Opmi).
4. Microsurgical instruments comprising variable sizes of scissors
and forceps (e.g. Fine Science Tools).
5. Surgical consumables [syringes, sutures, needles (intracutaneous),
saline, and gauze].
6. Glass coverslip, 8 mm (Plano GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany).
7. Histocompatible glue (S. Kisling & Cie AG, Zürich, Switzerland).
8. Anaesthesia (ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine).
3. Procedures
1. The animal is anaesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of
ketamine (1.2 mg/10 g body weight) and xylazine (0.16 mg/10 g
body weight).
2. The anaesthetized animal is fi xed in the stereotaxic head holder
in a prone position.
3. After hair removal and disinfection a mid-sagittal incision is
made, exposing the frontal and parietal skull.
4. Preparation of the galea and periost to each side until the onset
of the temporal muscle is exposed.
5. Cleaning with gauze.
3.1. Preparation
of the Chronic Cranial
Window (Figs.
1
and
2
)
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