[Hepatic parenchymal changes after intraarterial administration of lipiodol: an animal experiment]

The effect of Lipiodol (LPD) on the hepatic parenchyma bearing VX2 tumor was investigated in 12 rabbits. In these rabbits Adriamycin (ADM) soluble Urografin and LPD were injected through the hepatic artery. As the control another 12 rabbits bearing VX2 tumor which were intraarterially injected with ADM solution in saline were used. Liver function tests revealed significantly higher values of serum transaminases in the LPD group than in the control group. Histologically in the LPD group, hepatocellular degeneration was observed and the severity was at its peak 3 days after injection whereas control animals preserved almost normal structure. The degeneration of the tumor-bearing lobe was more severe than that of the tumor-free lobe. This study showed the histologically and functionally demonstrable adverse effects of LPD.