Computed tomographic enhancement of liver and spleen in the dog with iodipamide ethyl ester particulate suspensions.

Particulate suspensions have been developed for use as contrast agents to aid in the detection of hepatic lesions by CT. In several previous rodent studies, the toxicity and tissue concentrations of iodipamide ethyl ester (IDE) particles have been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of IDE in three dogs by evaluation of CT enhancement. Serum chemistry and hematologic parameters after intravenous administration were also followed. A dose of 75 mgI/kg IDE caused an increase of 40-60 Hounsfield units (HU) in liver attenuation, which persisted from 5 minutes to ten hours postinfusion. No enhancement of tissues other than liver and spleen was observed. IDE was completely eliminated from the liver within seven days. A mild transient elevation of liver enzymes may be attributable to the use of barbiturates rather than IDE. A transient depression of the white blood count was the only biochemical or hematologic change that was clearly in response to the infusion of IDE particulates.