Biodistribution of a particulate hepatolienographic CT contrast agent: a study of iodipamide ethyl ester in the rat.

Particulate contrast agents have been shown to be efficacious in computerized tomographic detection of liver tumors. This article quantitatively defines the biodistribution of the experimental particulate agent iodipamide ethyl ester in the rat as a function of time after intravenous infusion. The contrast agent is actively accumulated in the liver and spleen with high selectivity compared to iodine concentrations in the blood or other organs. The contrast material remains at high concentration in the liver for more than 2 hours and then is slowly cleared from the organism in approximately two days. The high selectivity and retention of contrast in the liver are indicative of the value of particulate agents in contrast-enhanced computerized tomography.