A New Liposomal Contrast Medium for CT of the Liver

Abstract

A new type of liposomal liver-specific contrast medium was studied in an experimental tumour model. Rabbits were inoculated with VX2-carcinoma directly into the liver at laparotomy. CT studies were carried out 14 days after inoculation. The liver-specific contrast medium consisted of a suspension of liposomes in a 100 mg I/ml iodixanol solution, with equal amounts of encapsulated and nonencapsulated iodixanol. It was administered at a dose of 200 mg I/kg. The contrast of normal liver tissue to tumorous tissue was significantly increased by contrast medium administration, the increase being largest 10 min after injection.