New media. Particulate contrast media.

Particulate contrast agents, when compared to water-soluble media, offer the advantage of allowing the administration of high doses without creating hypertonicity gradients and ionic imbalances. Since these radiopaque particles are accumulated in the reticuloendothelial system, they could be ideal hepatic CT contrast agents. We have developed a method for making particles of 2 +/- 1 microns by precipitating from an organic solvent. Preincubation of these particles in human serum albumin overcomes the very serious problem of in vivo particle aggregation and embolization. The ethyl esters of iothalamic and iodipamic acid have been injected intravenously into mice, rats, and rabbits. Radiopacification of the liver is maximal within 2-3 hours postinfusion, with radiopaque material subsequently clearing through the biliary system. Elimination from the organism seems to be complete within a few days postinfusion. Efforts to decrease the subacute toxicity of these agents are underway.