Perfluorochemicals as liver- and spleen-seeking ultrasound contrast agents

In this study, Fluosol-DA, 20 per cent (composed of perfluorodecalin and perfluorotripropylamine) was tested as a liver-specific ultrasound contrast agent. Twelve normal rabbits were scanned, utilizing the Picker Microview (10 MHz), prior to and two days following the intravenous administration of 24 ml/kg of Fluosol (or 4.8 g/kg of perfluorochemicals) emulsion to ten of the rabbits and 24 ml/kg of Ringer's solution to two rabbits as control. In all ten rabbits given Fluosol, liver echogenicity increased relative to that of the kidney, whereas the liver remained less echogenic than the kidney in the two rabbits given Ringer's solution. Four independent reviewers correctly identified all rabbits that received Fluosol and both rabbits that received Ringer's solution. It is demonstrated that, similar to PFOB, Fluosol serves as an echogenic contrast material for ultrasound and opacifies the normal rabbit liver.