Aluminium Chloride instead of Ferric chloride for inducing superior sagittal sinus thrombosis to reduce ferromagnetic artifacts on MRI-imaging in experimental models

Maaike Hachenberger; Tobias Braun; Stefan T Gerner; Laura Suenner; Anne Schänzer; Martin Juenemann; Clemens Mueller; Astrid Wietelmann; Erwin Stolz; Markus Schoenburg; Marlene Tschernatsch; Tibo Gerriets; Hagen B Huttner; Mesut Yeniguen

doi:10.1038/s41598-024-61885-8

Aluminium Chloride instead of Ferric chloride for inducing superior sagittal sinus thrombosis to reduce ferromagnetic artifacts on MRI-imaging in experimental models

Sci Rep. 2024 May 14;14(1):10998. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-61885-8.

Authors

Maaike Hachenberger^#^{1

2}, Tobias Braun^#^{3

4

5}, Stefan T Gerner^{1

6}, Laura Suenner², Anne Schänzer⁷, Martin Juenemann^{1

2}, Clemens Mueller⁸, Astrid Wietelmann⁹, Erwin Stolz^{1

2}, Markus Schoenburg^{2

10}, Marlene Tschernatsch^{1

2

11}, Tibo Gerriets^{1

2

11}, Hagen B Huttner^{1

6}, Mesut Yeniguen^{1

2

12}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
² Heart and Brain Research Group, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
³ Department of Neurology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, 35385, Giessen, Germany. [email protected].
⁴ Heart and Brain Research Group, 35385, Giessen, Germany. [email protected].
⁵ Department of Neurology, Lahn-Dill-Kliniken Wetzlar, 35578, Wetzlar, Germany. [email protected].
⁶ Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), University of Marburg and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
⁷ Institute of Neuropathology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35385, Giessen, Germany.
⁸ Department of Radiology, Kerckhoff-Klinik Bad Nauheim, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany.
⁹ Scientific Service Group Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany.
¹⁰ Department of Cardiac Surgery, Kerckhoff-Klinik Bad Nauheim, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany.
¹¹ Die Neurologen, Private Practice, Frankfurter Strasse 34, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany.
¹² NeuroCentrum Wetzlar, Sportparkstrasse 2, 35578, Wetzlar, Germany.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Using ferric chloride (FeCl3) to induce experimental superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis might interfere with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-assisted visualization and evaluation of the thrombus, the brain parenchyma, and the quality of the occlusion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced thrombosis of the SSS has comparable properties to those of FeCl3 without causing artifacts in MRI. SSS thrombosis was induced in 14 male Wistar rats by exposure of the SSS and subsequent topical application of a filter paper strip soaked in AlCl3 (n = 7) or FeCl3 (n = 7) over a period of 15 min. The animals with AlCl3-induced SSS thrombosis showed a constant and complete occlusion with in histological analysis large thrombi. Blood flow measurements indicated a significant reduction on the first and seventh postoperative day compared to preoperative measurements. MRI enabled visualization and subsequent evaluation of the thrombus and the surrounding parenchyma. In comparison, FeCl3-induced SSS thrombosis could not be evaluated by MRI due to artifacts caused by the paramagnetic properties and increased susceptibility of FeCl3. The occluded sinus and the surrounding area appeared hypointense. The quality of SSS occlusion by AlCl3 was comparable to that of FeCl3. AlCl3 therefore represents a significant alternative substance in experimental SSS thrombosis ideally suited for studies using MRI.

Keywords: Brain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Rats; Sinus thrombosis; Stroke.

MeSH terms

Aluminum Chloride*
Aluminum Compounds
Animals
Artifacts*
Chlorides* / administration & dosage
Chlorides* / pharmacology
Disease Models, Animal*
Ferric Compounds*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
Male
Rats
Rats, Wistar*
Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis / chemically induced
Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
Superior Sagittal Sinus / diagnostic imaging
Superior Sagittal Sinus / drug effects