CT evaluation of hepatic and splenic trauma with EOE-13. An experimental study in monkeys.

EOE-13 is a liver-spleen specific CT contrast agent currently undergoing clinical trials. It is an aqueous emulsion of iodinated fatty acids. We studied eight rhesus monkeys with surgically created blunt trauma to the liver and spleen. The animals were examined using CT scans without contrast material and CT scans with EOE-13. Scans were performed at times between 3 hours and 24 hours after trauma. The presence of parenchymal injury was shown better EOE-13 (P less than 0.01). The use of EOE-13 permitted earlier diagnosis in both the liver and spleen. This contrast agent has potential for the evaluation of trauma in clinical practice, and may be particularly useful in children.