A porcine model of hydrocephalus induced by gamma knife irradiation

Background The Leksell Gamma Knife® has been used for several decades as a relatively non-invasive, highly effective and precise therapeutic tool for brain disorders ranging from tumors to vascular malformations. It has a very benign side effect profile. To date many animal hydrocephalus models have been surgically or chemically invasive. Our exploratory model uses gamma knife to induce a lesion with the aim of increasing CSF outflow resistance at the cerebral aqueduct.