Computed tomography in a primate stroke model using selective balloon catheter arterial occlusion.

Ten heparinized nonhuman primates (rhesus monkeys and Papio maryumaya baboons) were subjected to temporary occlusion of an insular branch of the middle cerebral artery with a balloon catheter. An infarct was created. The lesions were monitored in vivo by computed tomography performed at intervals for 1 year. Animals were sacrificed and the lesions examined histologically. The technique obviates the disadvantages of surgical reaction, intravascular thrombosis, and gross cerebral edema observed in prior animal stroke models.