A technique for repeated sampling of pure cerebrospinal fluid from the conscious rabbit

For the study of drug pharmacokinetics' a reliable method for repeated sampling of uncontaminated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a conscious rabbit was established. The subdural space was punctured between a spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae. A catheter was inserted through a cannula and pushed up to the region of the cisterna magna. After removing the cannula, the distal end of the catheter was sealed and placed subcutaneously until the onset of the experiments. Ten days after the insertion, samples of clear and colorless CSF up to 1 ml could be withdrawn.