Experimental Microembolism of the Brain

A cat model was developed simulating fat embolism of the human brain. Microembolism was produced in cats by injecting 4 million microspheres (15 ± 5 µ) into the carotid artery with or without contralateral craniotomy for relief of intracranial hypertension. Four out of 5 cats without craniotomy died within a few hours after embolization due to increased intracranial pressure. In contrast 12 out of 20 cats with contralateral craniotomy survived.