The aim of this study was to evaluate the computed tomography (CT)-imaging potential of
iopromide-carrying
liposomes (SPC/CH/SPG, 6:3:1) of approximately 200 nm in diameter in healthy rabbits and in rabbits with implanted liver
tumors in an intraindividual comparison with
iopromide. Normal rabbits and animals with VX2
tumors implanted into the liver received
iopromide (600 mg of
iodine/kg, bolus injection) and, 1 or 2 days later,
iopromide liposomes (300 mg of
iodine/kg, bolus injection or 10-minute infusion). CT imaging up to 1 hour after administration was performed, focusing on the aorta, vena cava, kidney, spleen, and liver. Pharmacokinetic parameters for CT enhancement were calculated. Detectability and delineation of liver lesions were assessed on a 4-grade scale, and differences were evaluated statistically. Using half the
iodine dose,
iopromide liposomes achieved similar blood-pool enhancement as
iopromide. Detectability and delineation of liver lesions were easy/good in the arterial phase after
iopromide injection, but poor in the venous and equilibration phases.
Iopromide liposomes resulted in a long-lasting, good detectability and delineation of liver lesions similar or superior to that observed after
iopromide in the arterial phase.