Ether-dissolved ethiodol for lymphangiography: an experimental study.

In order to decrease administration time, the viscosity of Ethiodol was reduced by mixing it with ether; this mixture was evaluated in lymphangiography of dogs. The ether-Ethiodol solution was injected into a cannulated lymph vessel of one hind limb and compared to pure Ethiodol in the other. For the ether-Ethiodol solution, the time required for complete injection was 10-30 min in most cases compared to 60-105 min for Ethiodol alone. The radiographic appearance of the lymph vessels and nodes appeared similar on both sides, and follow-up lymphangiograms in two animals after 1 and 3 weeks showed no difference from the original study. Microscopic examination of the opacified lymph nodes on both sides revealed no histologic differences. The techniques has potential clinical application.