An experimental model of communicating hydrocephalus in C57 black mouse.

The authors report a new experimental model for the study of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus was produced in C57 black mouse by transplanting human glioma cultured cells. 20% of the animals developed hydrocephalus while the incidence of spontaneous hydrocephalus is only 1%. The transplanted cells disappeared within 72 hours. The mouse developed progressive hydrocephalus. There was no evidence of blockage of CSF pathways. The only abnormal microscopic finding was a scattered collection of lymphoid cells in some of the animals, which may be a hypersensitivity reaction to the cells. A similarly hypersensitive reaction to the foreign maternal protein which may enter the foetal circulation is suggested as the cause of hydrocephalus in some of the cases of congenital hydrocephalus.