Direct infusion, or convection-enhanced delivery (CED), into peripheral nerves may provide a method for delivering substances to the intrathecal space or specific fiber bundles entering the spinal cord. To better understand this potential delivery technique, we have characterized the extracellular transport of macromolecular agents from peripheral nerves to the spinal cord in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies. High-resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging at 11.1 T was used to monitor and characterize in vivo the extracellular transport dynamics of Gd-DTPA–albumin tracer during CED into rat sciatic nerves. Extracellular tracers followed peripheral nerves towards the spinal cord and at vertebral levels L4 and L5 appeared to enter the cerebrospinal fluid and nerve roots. Uptake directly into spinal cord tissues (white and gray matter) appeared to be limited. Spatial distribution patterns within spinal cord regions depended on CED factors, including cannula placement, and underlying tissue structures including peripheral nerve branching and membrane structures at nerve root entry. The applied MR techniques allowed for visualization and quantification of tracer spread and distribution within the rat spinal cord region. The results show that CED into peripheral nerves provides an alternative route for delivering therapeutics to nerve roots and the intrathecal space surrounding the spinal cord.
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Similar content being viewed by others Explore related subjectsDiscover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning. AbbreviationsConvection-enhanced delivery
Cerebrospinal fluid
Central nervous system
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI
Field of view
Gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid
Gray matter
Phosphate buffered saline
Polyether-ether-ketone
Radio-frequency
Time of repetition
Time of echo
White matter
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This study was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R21 NS052670). We would like to thank Barbara Beck and Jessica Meloy for their technical assistance in MRI experiments and Dr. Harvey Ramirez for technical assistance in animal surgery. The MRI data were obtained at the Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy (AMRIS) facility in the McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida.
Author information Author notesXiaoming Chen
Present address: Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, 212 MAE-A, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
Xiaoming Chen & Malisa Sarntinoranont
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Garrett W. Astary
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Thomas H. Mareci
Correspondence to Malisa Sarntinoranont.
Additional informationAssociate Editor Jeffrey L. Duerk oversaw the review of this article.
About this article Cite this articleChen, X., Astary, G.W., Mareci, T.H. et al. In Vivo Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging of Direct Infusion into Rat Peripheral Nerves. Ann Biomed Eng 39, 2823–2834 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-011-0362-x
Received: 04 February 2011
Accepted: 16 July 2011
Published: 02 August 2011
Issue Date: November 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-011-0362-x
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