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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Combination Radiotherapy in an Orthotopic Mouse Brain Tumor Model
Published on: March 6, 2012
In situ beta-irradiation of a brain arteriovenous malformation model
Daniel Roy1, Jean-Paul Soucy, Neil G Hartman
1Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Notre-Dame Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. daniel.roy.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Background And Purpose:
The treatment of large brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) is challenging, and embolization alone is seldom curative. The study goal is to enhance the efficacy of arteriovenous malformation embolization by adding a beta-emitting isotope to the embolic agent.
Methods:
The pig rete mirabile was used as a BAVM model. The body distribution of radioactivity was evaluated after selective rete injection of N-butyl,2-cyanoacrylate mixed with (131)I-lipiodol in 8 animals using immediate whole body gamma-scintigraphy. Activities within the whole rete mirabile and selected tissue samples were quantified with a gamma counter immediately after sacrifice. Two pigs were submitted to serial gamma-scintigraphies for 6 weeks to detect delayed isotope leaching. Long-term effects of in situ irradiation were evaluated using a mixture of 188Re/N-butyl,2-cyanoacrylate in 8 pigs. In 1 animal, autoradiography was performed to evaluate local rete mirabile distribution of the radioactivity. Seven pigs were injected with 188Re/glue in 1 rete mirabile and with glue only on the opposite side, and the degree of vascular occlusion of both sides was compared on histology at 2 (n=2) or 6 months (n=5).
Results:
There was negligible activity outside the target. Radiation caused occlusion of vessels unreached by the glue itself but in the vicinity of the radioactive source in 5 of 7 rete mirabile.
Conclusions:
Selective deposition of a beta-emitter inside a BAVM model may be achieved by current embolization techniques. The adjunct use of an isotope may increase the efficacy of embolization.
