The effect of radicular arteries ligation on the spinal cord blood supply in cats

In order to study the contribution of the radicular arteries to the blood supply of the spinal cord, we performed experimental occlusion of these arteries in cats. In 43 cats, under thiopental anaesthesia, unilateral, bilateral, single or multiple ligations of dorsal radicular arteries were carried out. The animals were killed at the 1st, 2nd and 7th postoperative day. The spinal cords were removed and preserved in formalin solution for 1 month and then examined, using light microscopy. We conclude that bilateral or multiple ligations are capable of producing ischaemic lesions in the spinal cord, more profound by the seventh postoperative day, while single ligations do not produce such lesions, unless a medullary artery is involved. The ischaemic lesions which were observed were associated with clinical neurological deficits.