CT of experimental hepatoma using the hepatocyte-specific lipid emulsion FP 736-03.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate whether moderately to well differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) possess the same ability to take up a new lipid emulsion contrast medium, FP 736-03, as do hepatocytes.


METHODS
A rat model of an experimental HCC was used. CT was performed before and after an i.v. bolus injection of 1.0 ml FP 736-03/kg b.w. Attenuation values of normal liver parenchyma and tumour tissue were measured over time.


RESULTS
The contrast medium was taken up by the normal liver parenchyma but not by the tumour tissue for which the attenuation remained virtually constant over the observation period.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that FP 736-03 was not taken up by the HCC, thus producing a high lesion-to-liver contrast.
Bergman
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Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Sundin
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Magnusson
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D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004655:Emulsions; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010743:Phospholipids; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D004655:Emulsions; D005217:Fat Emulsions, Intravenous; D010743:Phospholipids; C092563:iodized oil, phospholipid, cholesterol emulsion; D007459:Iodized Oil; D002784:Cholesterol