Article
Histopathological examination of the effects of ultrasound aspiration on brain tissue
Histopathologische Untersuchungen der Effekte des Ultraschallaspirators an Hirngewebe
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Published: | April 23, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
Ultrasonic aspiration has been widely adopted in the resection of lesions of the central nervous system. The CUSA Ultrasonic Surgical System fragments and aspirates a wide spectrum of firm tumors of the central nervous system with little movement transmitted to adjacent normal neural structures. The CUSA system is clearly of limited value in removing extremely calcified or dense fibrous tumors. It lacks primary hemostatic properties, and conventional hemostatic techniques are necessary. Histopathological examination was performed to determine the long-term effects and the kind and extent of tissue damage.
Methods
Two lesions of different ultrasound amplitude were made in each of 20 rabbits. Histopathological examination was performed in 10 animals immediately after surgery and in ten rabbits after eight weeks of observation.
Results
The typical tissue damage surrounding the lesion is predominantly edema and neuronal death. Interestingly, no obliteration of vessels, independent of their size was observed. Even capillaries were not occluded. The typical formation after 8 weeks of observation was fibrosis and gliosis. No ultrasound-specific alterations were observed.
Conclusions
Local hyperthermia seems to be the predominant kind of lesion in ultrasonic aspiration. The mean distance of tissue damage from the place of application is about 2 mm. Eight weeks after lesioning, no specific formation of residual defects could be observed.