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Pediatric Surgery International
Published in: Pediatric Surgery International 12/2008

01-12-2008 | Original Article

Brain malformations in the sheep model of myelomeningocele are similar to those found in human disease: preliminary report

Authors: Jose Luis Encinas Hernández, C. Soto, M. A. García-Cabezas, F. Pederiva, M. Garriboli, R. Rodríguez, J. L. Peiró, F. Carceller, M. López-Santamaría, J. A. Tovar

Published in: Pediatric Surgery International | Issue 12/2008

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine if brain malformations, similar to those which account for cognitive disorders seen in human disease, are present in an ovine model of myelomeningocele (MMC).

Methods

An MMC-like lesion was surgically created in 16 fetal lambs between 60 and 80 days of gestation. Ten did not undergo fetal repair (group A), 2 were repaired with an open two-layer closure (group B), 2 with open bioglue coverage (group C) and 2 with fetoscopic coverage (group D). Lambs were killed and their brains were examined. Two brains from normal unoperated lambs served as controls.

Results

Thirteen lambs died in utero (81%). Two lambs in group A and 1 in group B were delivered at term. Group A brains showed hydrocephalus and extensive areas of polymicrogyria. There was also an extensive denudation of the ependymal lining under the polymicrogyric areas and the corpus callosum was thinner than normal. No hindbrain herniation was observed. Brains from group B and the control did not show any of these abnormalities.

Conclusions

Some of the central nervous system abnormalities associated to MMC in human patients are also found in the uncorrected fetal lamb model of MMC but not in the only survivor to intrauterine coverage. Further studies are necessary to ascertain if these abnormalities can be prevented by coverage of the defect.
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Metadata
Title
Brain malformations in the sheep model of myelomeningocele are similar to those found in human disease: preliminary report
Authors
Jose Luis Encinas Hernández
C. Soto
M. A. García-Cabezas
F. Pederiva
M. Garriboli
R. Rodríguez
J. L. Peiró
F. Carceller
M. López-Santamaría
J. A. Tovar
Publication date
01-12-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Pediatric Surgery International / Issue 12/2008
Print ISSN: 0179-0358
Electronic ISSN: 1437-9813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-008-2276-8

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