ObjectiveTo establish a new animal model of chronic cervical compressive myelopathy and to assess its feasibility. MethodsEighteen Chongming goats were divided into two groups: control group (n=3) and experimental group (n=15). The balloon was placed into the C3 intervertebral space by anterior approach operation, and the syringe valve was fixed subcutaneously. Contrast agent was injected percutaneously into the valve (0.1 ml/week) to inflate the balloon progressively to produce chronic compression. In the control group, the balloon compression system was placed and immediately removed; percutaneous puncture was performed each week without injecting anything. The Tarlov scores were assessed in each group every four weeks. The goats underwent X-ray, CT and MRI under general anesthesia every four weeks. The spinal cord specimens were pathologically examined at test level at the end of experiment. ResultsThe Tarlov scores were 5 (normal) at all time points in the control group. Tarlov scores were not changed in the experimental group four weeks after surgery (n=13); at eight weeks after surgery (n=11) the Tarlov scores were 4 in 2 goats and 5 in 9 goats; and at twelve weeks after surgery (n=9) the Tarlov scores were 2 in 3 goats, 3 in 4 goats and 4 in 2 goats. The balloon compression system was stable in the experimental group. Radiological findings showed that the cervical spinal cord compressed progressively in the experimental group as time went by, and those in the control group underwent no noticeable change. Pathological examination showed neuronatrophy, increased gap around the neurons, mild demyelinated and vacuolar degeneration in the experimental group at eight weeks after surgery, and these changes were deteriorated twelve weeks after surgery. There were no noticeable pathological changes in the control group and four weeks after surgery in the experimental group. ConclusionThe postoperative behavior, radiological and pathological findings of the animals consist with the character of chronic cervical compressive myelopathy, indicating that the balloon compression system in the present study can be used to establish a reliable and stable animal model of chronic cervical spinal cord compression.