ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a stable animal model of implanted main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT) in rabbits and to evaluate its usefulness in research so as to provide the basis for clinical treatment. Methods Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into group A (control group,n=10) and group B (study group,n=14). For the rabbits of the study group, a sac-like pouch was sewed up in the anterior wall of the main portal vein, and then the tumor slice was injected into the portal vein through the pouch and it was hung and fixed on the inner wall of the main portal vein with the help of the reserved suture. For the rabbits of the control group, only a sac-like pouch was sewed up in the anterior wall of the main portal vein after opening the abdomen. After the treatment, the animals were kept under observation on the general condition, body weight and survival time. Postoperative multi-slice spiral CT scan was performed once a week to check the growth of portal vein tumor thrombus and the metastasis. The experimental rabbits were separately sacrificed for pathologic examination, the volume of MPVTT was determined and the metastasis was evaluated. The survival time of the remaining rabbits were analyzed. Results The tumor formation rate of the study group was 100%. The mean body weight of the rabbits of the study group (No.9-No.14 rabbits) and the control group at 35 days after the procedure was (1.48±0.19) kg and (2.08 ±0.17) kg respectively. The mean survival time of the study group (No.9-No.14 rabbits) was (41.7 ±4.72) days. Multi-slice spiral CT scan revealed MPVTT, metastasis and collateral circulation due to portal vein obstruction. Pathological examination confirmed the presence of thrombus in the portal vein and metastasis . Conclusion Stable MPVTT in animal models that can be used for imaging evaluation are successfully established. This study proves that multi-slice spiral CT scan is of great value in diagnosing and monitoring the growth of MPVTT and metastasis, which provides useful basis for clinical research and treatment of MPVTT.