Establishment and evaluation of traumatic neuroma model.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic neuroma is a common complication of peripheral nerve injury, and basic research on peripheral nerve repair and regeneration through a traumatic neuroma model is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To establish and identify a traumatic neuroma model. METHODS: The study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethical Committee of Chinese PLA General Hospital. Fifteen healthy Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks old were selected to expose the sciatic nerve under microscope, and the sciatic nerve was cut 1 em away from the posterior gluteal muscle branch using microscissors. The proximal nerve was sutured to the surrounding muscle with 11-0 microlines, and the distal nerve was left open and reflexed. After 3 weeks, ultrasonic and histological examinations were used to verify the formation of neuroma. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Ultrasound: After 3 weeks of modeling, the proximal nerve showed obvious spindle enlargement, which was a hypoechoic parenchymal nodule without echo. (2) Gross observation: The proximal nerves were enlarged and slightly stiffened, with fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia and adhesion to the surrounding tissues. (3) Hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated hyperplasia of fibrous tissue and disorderly growth of nerve fibers in the tumor. Immunofluorescence staining (S100, NF200) revealed irregular hyperplasia of Schwann cells and nerve axons in the tumor. (4) These results suggest that the model of traumatic neuroma is successfully constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]