X. Fouillet et al., ENHANCEMENT OF COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY LIVER CONTRAST USING IOMEPROL-CONTAINING LIPOSOMES AND DETECTION OF SMALL LIVER-TUMORS IN RATS, Academic radiology, 2(7), 1995, pp. 576-583
Rationale and Objectives. We evaluated iomeprol-containing liposomes (
Lipiom), a new contrast medium for computed tomography (CT) liver scan
ning, in an animal model of chemically induced hepatocellular carcinom
as and other liver tumors in rats. Methods. Liver tumors were induced
by administration of carcinogens to rats, either 0.55% (w/w) 1'-hydrox
ysafrole in the diet or induction by 3'-methyl-4-diethylaminoazobenzen
e followed by promotion with carbon tetrachloride. CT scanning was per
formed 1-3 hr after intravenous injection of iomeprol-containing lipos
omes. Results. After injection of iomeprol-containing liposomes at a d
ose of 70 mg of liposome-entrapped iodine per kilogram of body weight,
the normal liver parenchyma showed a contrast enhancement, in Hounsfi
eld units, of more than 60% over the control value before bolus. Liver
tumors with no or few Kupffer cells were not enhanced and appeared as
dark areas within the normal parenchyma. Tumors and pretumoral lesion
s devoid of Kupffer cells, as small as 3 mm in diameter, could be dist
inguished using this noninvasive method. Conclusion. CT liver scanning
after injection of iomeprol-containing liposomes appears to be a prom
ising method for detecting liver tumors and focal liver lesions.