Influence of pre-examination starvation on liver uptake of the hepatocyte-specific contrast medium FP 736-04 AT CT: An experimental study in the rat

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of starvation on contrast-enhanced CT of the liver using the iodinated hepatocyte-specific lipid emulsion FP 736-04.

Material and Methods: CT examination of the liver was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats before and after an i.v. infusion of 1.0 ml/kg b.w. of FP 736-04. The examination was preceded by a 15-h period of food withdrawal (the starvation group). A control group was subjected to the same CT examination protocol with use of FP 736-04 but without prior starvation.

Results: Liver attenuation values did not differ significantly between the starvation and the control group (p>0.05).

Conclusion: A pre-examination period of starvation had no effect on FP 736-04 liver enhancement on CT. However, liver attenuation tended to decrease more slowly in the starvation group than in the controls.