Facial nerve identification with fluorescent dye in rats.

PURPOSE The parotidectomy technique still has an elevated paresis and paralysis index, lowering patient life's quality. The correct identification of the facial nerve can prevent nerve damage. Fluorescent dye identifies nerves in experimental studies but only few articles focused its use on facial nerve study in parotidectomies. We aimed to stain the rat facial nerve with fluorescent dye to facilitate visualization and dissection in order to prevent injuries. METHODS Forty adult male Wistar rats were submitted to facial injection of saline solution (Gsf-control group, 10) or fluorescent dye solution (Gdye group, 30) followed by parotidectomy preserving the facial nerve, measuring the time for localization and facility of localization (LocTime and LFN). Nerve function was assessed using the Vibrissae Movements (PMV) and Eyelid Closure Motion (PFP) scores. RESULTS Nerve localization was faster in Gdye group, with 83% Easy LFN rate. The Gdye group presented with low nerve injury degree and better PMV and PFP scores, with high sensitivity and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS This experimental method of facial nerve fluorescence was effective for intraoperative nerve visualization, identification and preservation. The technique may be used in future facial nerve studies, translated to humans, contributing to the optimization of parotid surgery in the near future.

Facial nerve identification with fluorescent dye in rats

PURPOSE The parotidectomy technique still has an elevated paresis and paralysis index, lowering patient life's quality. The correct identification of the facial nerve can prevent nerve damage. Fluorescent dye identifies nerves in experimental studies but only few articles focused its use on facial nerve study in parotidectomies. We aimed to stain the rat facial nerve with fluorescent dye to facilitate visualization and dissection in order to prevent injuries. METHODS Forty adult male Wistar rats were submitted to facial injection of saline solution (Gsf-control group, 10) or fluorescent dye solution (Gdye group, 30) followed by parotidectomy preserving the facial nerve, measuring the time for localization and facility of localization (LocTime and LFN). Nerve function was assessed using the Vibrissae Movements (PMV) and Eyelid Closure Motion (PFP) scores. RESULTS Nerve localization was faster in Gdye group, with 83% Easy LFN rate. The Gdye group presented with low nerve injury degree and better PMV and PFP scores, with high sensitivity and accuracy. CONCLUSIONS This experimental method of facial nerve fluorescence was effective for intraoperative nerve visualization, identification and preservation. The technique may be used in future facial nerve studies, translated to humans, contributing to the optimization of parotid surgery in the near future.

[Comparison of three neuro-tracing techniques for identification of the sciatic spinal nerve origin in mice]. / Comparación de tres técnicas de trazado retrógrado para la identificación del origen espinal del nervio ciático en ratón.

To identify sensory and motor neurons associated with the sciatic nerve in adult mice, three methods for applying fluorescent tracers (Fluorogold and Dil) were investigated: direct application, intraneural injection and impregnation of a sectioned nerve in a silicone chamber. Most accurate localization of the neurons on the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord was accomplished by introducing the proximal stump of a transected sciatic nerve into a silicone chamber, filled with tracers and then decalcifying the tissue. Fluorogold was an effective tracing agent, in contrast to Dil, which was not. In addition to associations with cephalic ganglia L4, L5 and L6, as seen in rats, contributory neurons to the sciatic nerve were located in other ganglia in the mouse. These findings show that the silicone chamber-tissue decalcification technique is a viable tool for obtaining comparative neuroanatomical information in the mouse model.

A simple method to microinject solid neural tracers into deep structures of the brain.

We have developed an instrument to perform microinjections of solid neural tracers into deep structures of the brain. The instrument consists of a thin hypodermic needle equipped with a movable internal rod, which is connected to a pressure chamber. When a pressure pulse is applied to the chamber, the rod moves forward and back inside the needle, pushing out a solid load previously packed inside the needle tip. By attaching a microelectrode to the instrument, it is also possible to have electrophysiological control of the injection placement. To test the instrument, we microinjected DiI and rhodamine crystals into selected structures of the visual system of pigeons. The results show small, well-defined injection sites, accurately located in the desired targets, together with well-developed anterogade and retrograde transport, selectively originated from the injection sites. This method extends the usage of solid tracers to most structures in the brain and may, in certain cases, be more advantageous than the conventional method of injecting tracer solutions.