A novel haemodynamic cerebral aneurysm model of rats with normal blood pressure

Cerebral aneurysms of traditional animal models are usually too small to be imaged in vivo. A novel rat model induced by ligation of the unilateral common carotid artery and contralateral pterygopalatine and external carotid arteries was investigated. To evaluate the morphological changes of the cerebral arteries, synchrotron radiation angiography was utilised at 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after induction. Cerebral aneurysms and expansion of anterior cerebral arteries in these rats were identified when the animals were alive. This novel model is useful for cerebral aneurysm research.