Dual-source CT in the Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism Rabbit Experimental Study

Study the feasibility of manufacturing the model of acute pulmonary embolism by injecting gelatin sponge from New Zealand rabbit ear margin vein by dual-source CT. Methods: 24 New Zealand rabbits divided into two groups: experimental group(n=22) and control group(n=2). In experimental group, we injected gelatin sponge into rabbit's ear margin vein, and divided them into 2houes, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days group. All proceed CTPA and lung perfusion examination before and after embolization. After the inspection, all rabbits put to death. Control group injected isotonic saline into rabbit's ear margin vein. After the inspection, all rabbits put to death. All groups put to pathological examination. Results: In the experimental group, 20 New Zealand rabbits molding success, 2 rabbits have not obtained data because of embolization excess and anesthesia excess, the success rate of 90%. Analysis on CT images of 100 lung lobes, In 2 hours group, there are 12 lung lobes texture sparse; in 1d and 3d groups there are 22 lung lobes in ground-glass attenuation; in 7d group there are 3 lung lobes consolidation. DEPI show low perfusion in experimental group. Pathological examination revealed: The lung tissue in 2 hours group was bright red, no structural damage and alveolar exudates; In 1 day group the lung tissue was edema, congestion, hemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltration; The lung tissue in 3 day group was deep red, the alveolar interval broaden, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration, some lung tissue necrosis; The lung tissue in 7 day group was dark red, lung tissue necrosis, the alveolar cavity is filled with exudates. The experimental group was found three New Zealand rabbit pulmonary artery lumen with gelatin sponge. Conclusions: Injection of gelatin sponge By the New Zealand rabbit ear margin vein production of acute pulmonary embolism animal model is simple operation, low cost, and high success rate. It is a experimental model which relatively easy to make in imaging studies of pulmonary embolism.