J Korean Radiol Soc.  2003 Jun;48(6):479-483. 10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.6.479.

Hepatic CT Enhancement: Comparison between Dimeric and Monomeric Nonionic Contrast Agents in Rabbits

• Kim GH
• Kwak BK
• Shim HJ
• Kim KN
• Liu WC
• Ryu SH
• Kim YS
• Lee JB
• Kim KS

• KMID: 1833712
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.6.479

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine the hepatic and vascular enhancement profiles with nonionic dimeric, iodixanol, contrast agent in the rabbit and to compare them with nonionic monomeric, ioversol, contrast agent.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seven rabbits initially underwent hepatic dynamic CT scan with either iodixanol or ioversol, followed by repeated CT scan with other unused contrast agent with one week interval between scans. Pre and post contrast attenuation values of hepatic parenchyma, aorta and portal vein were measured sequentially. The mean enhancement of the hepatic parenchyma, aorta and portal vein were compared between two agents. The mean peak enhancement and peak enhancement time of the liver, aorta, and portal vein were also compared.
RESULTS
The attenuation values of ioversol showed a greater mean hepatic enhancement than iodixanol from 18 seconds to 39 seconds after injection (from late arterial phase to early portal venous phase) with a statistical significance (p<0.05). The mean peak enhancement of hepatic parenchyma, aorta and portal vein was also greater using ioversol than iodixanol, but the mean peak enhancement times of ioversol and iodixanol were nearly identical.
CONCLUSION
Ioversol may have the greater effects than iodixanol on hepatic tumor conspicuity, especially from late arterial phase to early portal veneous phase.

Keyword

Computed tomography (CT), contrast enhancement; Computed tomography (CT), contrast media; Contrast media, comparative studies; Contrast media, experimental studies; Liver, CT

MeSH Terms

Aorta
Contrast Media*
Liver
Portal Vein
Rabbits*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Contrast Media