Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Annulus puncture using ordinary needles is recognized as an ideal construction method of intervertebral degeneration. However, there still exists certain disadvantages, such as great damage to animals, inconvenient to operate.
OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in Beagle dogs through percutaneous paracentesis under the fluoroscopic guidance of C-arm equipment.
METHODS: Eight healthy adult dogs were involved. Percutaneous paracentesis of intervertenral space was performed under the fluoroscopic guidance of C-arm equipment after lumbar MRI examination to damage the L5/6 intervertebral disc. Lumbar MRI examination was performed in the 3rd and 6th months after operation. Specimens were obtained for immunohistochemical examination to observe the disc degeneration.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Significant degeneration was found in L5/6 intervertebral disc in 3 and 6 months after ercutaneous paracentesis; MRI examination showed that T2 values were significant lower, and signs of varying degrees of herniated disk was found in the intervertebral disc. The amount of type Ⅱ collagen-positive nucleus pulposus cells in the puncture segment of L5/6 was significantly lower than that in the segment of L4/5 (P < 0.05). It indicates that the construction method of percutaneous needle technique for dog disc degeneration model is easy, effective and reproducible.