RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. Existing methods used to simulate pulmonary metas
tases are unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to create a simple in v
ivo model of pulmonary metastases by endobronchial deployment of small high
-density heads in anesthetized dogs.
METHODS. Commercially available decorative beads measuring 2 and 4 mm in di
ameter and of high density (600 to 1200 Hounsfield units) mere deployed in
the peripheral airways of anesthetized dogs using catheter and guide wire m
anipulations through an endotracheal tube.
RESULTS. A total of 65 beads were placed in five dogs. Computed tomography
demonstrated that 41 (63%) were satisfactorily located in the lung peripher
y, 9 (14%) were unsatisfactorily located in large airways, and 15 (23%) wer
e not visible,
CONCLUSIONS. The endobronchial deployment of small high-density beads in th
e peripheral airways of anesthetized dogs is a novel and effective techniqu
e for creation of an in vivo model of pulmonary metastases.