title: Intrapulmonary perfluorooctyl bromide instillation in fetal rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Instilling perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) into the fetal lung may lead to alveolar distension.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of PFOB instillation into fetal lungs and to determine the radiographic distribution and tissue concentration of PFOB in New Zealand white rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sibling fetuses of pregnant (day 27) New Zealand white rabbits were randomized to intratracheal instillation of 1 mL PFOB with tracheal ligation, instillation without ligation, and unmanipulated controls. The maternal animals were killed directly after instillation, at 3 or 6 hours (n = 10 each). For each study cohort, we determined fetal lung/body weight (FLBW) ratios, the radiographic distribution of PFOB, as well as pulmonary PFOB and water content by tissue distillation. PFOB concentrations in maternal and fetal tissues were assessed by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relative amount of fetal lung PFOB recovered by fractional distillation was highest in ligated (25%) and lower in unligated lungs (9%). Extrapulmonary PFOB was found in the fetal brain (2.0 +/- 0.7 ppm), but not in any other fetal or maternal tissues. Mean FLBW ratios were highest in ligated fetuses, followed by unligated fetuses and controls. PFOB partially displaced fetal lung water. PFOB was visible in the lungs of all treated fetuses. Fetal survival between manipulated and unmanipulated fetuses did not differ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After prenatal intrapulmonary instillation, some PFOB remains in the lung, even if the trachea is not ligated, and may exert distending pressure on the alveoli.
authors: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany. oliver.muensterer@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors: Oliver J
authors: OJ
authors: Muensterer
authors: Verena J
authors: VJ
authors: Klis
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Till
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Bergmann
authors: Roman
authors: R
authors: Metzger
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Simbruner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D008168:Lung / Q000254:growth & development; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C003072:perflubron