A preliminary study on the establishment of a cyst and cystic neoplasm tissue-mimicking model.

Context: The present experimental models of cystic diseases are not adequate and require further investigation.

Aim: In this study, a new way of producing a tissue-mimicking model of cysts and cystic neoplasms was evaluated.

Settings and design: To simulate cysts and cystic neoplasms, ex vivo rabbit normal bladders and VX2-implanted tumor bladders were produced, fixed, and embedded in agarose gel.

Methods and materials: The samples were classified into four groups based on tumor features and the maximal transverse diameter of the rabbit bladder, which were assessed using computer tomography (CT) imaging and statistically analyzed.

Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The t-test was used for analyzing enumeration data.

Results: Twenty-one rabbit bladders (21/24) were successfully removed and prepped for this experiment, comprising eleven normal bladders (11/24) and ten implanted with VX2 tumors (10/24). The gelling ingredient used to form the visualization and fixation matrix was agarose at a concentration of 4 g/200 mL. The temperature of the agarose solution was kept constant at 40-45°C, which is the optimal temperature range for ex vivo normal bladder and implanted VX2 tumor bladder insertion. The average time required to embed and fix the bladders in agarose gel was 45.0 ± 5.2 minutes per instance. The gel-fixing matrix's strength and light transmittance were enough for building the models.

Conclusion: We created an experimental tissue-mimicking model of cysts and cystic neoplasms with stable physicochemical features, a safe manufacturing method, and high repeatability. These models may be used to assist with cystic lesion diagnosis and treatment techniques.