Intracranial Orthotopic Model: A Procedure to Implant Cancer Cells in Mouse Brain

Intracranial injection of cancer cells is a procedure to inject cancer cells into the brain through the cranium, the bone that protects the brain. This procedure helps monitor tumor growth in the mouse brain.

To begin, position an anesthetized mouse with a calvarial window - surgically created burr hole in the skull - onto a stereotactic unit.

Next, prime a syringe containing homogenous cell suspension to remove air bubbles.

Wipe the outer barrel of the needle shaft with an alcohol swab to prevent tumor cell seeding along the injection tract.

Now, load the syringe on the automatic injector apparatus attached to the stereotactic unit.

Align the needle to the center of the calvarial window close to the exposed cerebrum - the uppermost portion of the brain.

Insert the needle briefly into the brain and hold it there to acclimatize the brain tissues around it. 

Slowly inject the cells into the brain to prevent any tissue damage and let the needle rest in the organ to restrict the backflow of tumor cells.

Thereafter, carefully remove the needle to prevent tumor cells from tracking up the needle tract.

Apply bone wax to the calvarial window to retain the tumor within the brain.

Last, seal the incision with suture clips and allow the mouse to recover in a warm cage.