PMID: 9164354Jan 1, 1997Paper

Hepatocyte-specific contrast media for CT. An experimental investigation

Acta Radiologica. Supplementum
A Bergman

Abstract

CT is an important technique in liver imaging. To improve the detection of focal liver lesions the use of non-specific, water-soluble contrast media (CM) is mandatory. However, even with use of these CM the sensitivity in tumour detection is low. In the development of liver-specific CM, the majority of the agents have been targeted to the reticuloendothelial system (RES). The clinical use of RES-specific contrast agents has been hampered by frequent adverse reactions, and a new concept whereby the CM is taken up by the hepatocytes has been developed as an alternative. Such a CM is taken up by normal liver parenchyma but not by tumour cells, enhancing the difference between normal and pathological tissue, and therefore improving the diagnostic sensitivity. In the present investigation, FP 736-03 and FP 736-04, two hepatocyte-specific lipid emulsions, have been studied using animal models. In normal liver parenchyma dose-dependent enhancement was found, whereas in tumour tissue of experimental liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma, no enhancement was noted. The virtually unchanged attenuation in tumour tissue meant that the liver-to-lesion contrast increased steadily during the observation period. In an attempt to establi...Continue Reading

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