Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 2, Issue 4 173-176, Copyright © 1983 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Perfluorochemicals as liver- and spleen-seeking ultrasound contrast agents
R. F. Mattrey, G. R. Leopold, E. vanSonnenberg, B. B. Gosink, F. W. Scheible and D. M. Long
In this study, Fluosol-DA, 20 per cent (composed of perfluorodecalin and
perfluorotripropylamine) was tested as a liver-specific ultrasound contrast
agent. Twelve normal rabbits were scanned, utilizing the Picker Microview
(10 MHz), prior to and two days following the intravenous administration of
24 ml/kg of Fluosol (or 4.8 g/kg of perfluorochemicals) emulsion to ten of
the rabbits and 24 ml/kg of Ringer's solution to two rabbits as control. In
all ten rabbits given Fluosol, liver echogenicity increased relative to
that of the kidney, whereas the liver remained less echogenic than the
kidney in the two rabbits given Ringer's solution. Four independent
reviewers correctly identified all rabbits that received Fluosol and both
rabbits that received Ringer's solution. It is demonstrated that, similar
to PFOB, Fluosol serves as an echogenic contrast material for ultrasound
and opacifies the normal rabbit liver.
