Comparison of iothalamate meglumine, metrizamide and iodophendylate in cerebral ventriculography. A clinical, radiological and histopathological study in the rat.

Clinical, radiological and histopathological findings following cerebral ventriculography in the rat using the water-soluble contrast media iothalamate meglumine and metrizamide, and the oil-soluble iodophendylate are reported. Clinically, iothalamate meglumine caused convulsions, while there were no adverse reactions to the other media. Radiologically there was good visualizaiton of the ventricles with all media. Iodophendylate was retained in the ventricles for the duration of the experiment (up to 60 days), while the water-soluble media had disappeared within 20 minutes. Histologically there were no pathological changes attributable to the water-soluble media. Iodophendyalte led to enlargement of the ventricles, and macrophages containing oil were seen on the ependymal lining.