Imaging effects of tumor, liver and spleen by perfluoroctylbromide emulsion (PFOB) with computed tomography (CT)

Perfluoroctylbromide emulsion (PFOB) was iv injected in amounts of 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 ml to Ehrlich tumor-bearing mice. Imaging effect of PFOB against the Ehrlich tumor, liver, and spleen tissues was examined using CT. The uptake of PFOB in these tissues was also estimated based on CT numbers. Contrast-enhanced heterogenesity and characteristic scattering of high uptake areas were seen in the tumor tissues. Imaging effect persisted for 7 days in the groups injected 0.5 and 1.0 ml, with the peak being 2-3 days after injection, whereas it exsisted for only one day in the 0.25 mg group. The uptake of PFOB was dependent upon the amount of PFOB, but not dependent on the time of injection. Strong contrast-enhanced homogenesity was seen in both the liver and spleen tissues. The uptake of PFOB increased in proportion to the amount of PFOB, with the peak being one day after injection in the 0.25 and 0.5 ml goups and 2-3 days after injection in the 1.0 ml group. PFOB uptake was three times higher in the spleen than the liver. As a whole, the uptake of PFOB was three times higher in the spleen than high-uptake area of the tumor tissues, and two times higher in the liver than the whole tumor tissues. The uptake and clearance of PFOB were faster in both the liver and spleen than the tumor tissues. The results suggest a new potential contrast media in the localization of tumors. (Namekawa, K)