Roentgen Ray Visualization of Spleen Following Injection of Emulsions of Halogenated Oils. ∗

Abstract

In view of the well known phagocytic properties of the cells of the reticulo endothelial system for finely divided foreign materials injected into the blood stream an attempt was made to visualize organs containing these cells by injecting particulate matter which was relatively opaque to roentgen rays.

Using gum acacia as an emulsifying agent an emulsion of lipiodol was prepared. A few of the droplets of oil were larger than erythrocytes in the best emulsion which could be prepared by trituration in a mortar. This emulsion was diluted with 5% gum acacia solution and injected into one of the tail veins of white rats. Doses varying from 1/2 cc. to 4 cc. of oil per kilo body weight were given. Seven rats were so injected. Four receiving smaller amounts survived indefinitely. One died about 36 hours after injection and one died within one minute of injection. The third was killed when in a dying condition. Because of the more recent findings of Crandall and Walsh 1 we subsequently used a gum acacia-water emulsion of the bromidized esters of olive oil. This emulsion was very kindly supplied by the Abbott Laboratories.

Eleven rats weighting from 200 to 300 gm. have received intravenous doses of this material in amounts varying from 1/4 cc. to 3 cc. per kilo body weight. All have survived. Six of them, 2 months later, have received a second dose. The emulsion was diluted in physiological saline and given in a volume of 5 cc. or less and in 1/2-1 minute. The minimum amount for visualization of the spleen in the rat would appear to be in the neighborhood of 1 cc. of oil per kilo body weight.