CT with the hepatocyte-specific contrast medium FP 736-04 in an experimental model of liver steatosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether liver uptake of the iodinated hepatocyte-specific lipid emulsion FP 736-04 is altered by fatty infiltration of the liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fatty infiltration of the liver was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by an intraperitoneal injection of L-ethionine preceded by 15 h of food withdrawal. CT of the liver was performed before and 24 h after the administration of L-ethionine and, in addition at the latter time point, after an i.v. injection of 1.0 ml/kg b.w. of FP 736-04. A control group was subjected to the same CT examination protocol. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of L-ethionine caused liver steatosis, as established by liver triglyceride analysis, leading to a significant decrease in the liver attenuation, from 69.2 +/- 2.4 to 27.8 +/- 12.0 HU. The uptake of FP 736-04 by the fatty liver was significantly reduced, yielding a maximum enhancement of 22.3 +/- 7.9 HU as compared to a value of 32.3 +/- 5.0 HU in the control group. CONCLUSION: Enhancement by FP 736-04 was reduced in the steatotic liver compared with the normal liver. It remains to be established whether this degree of enhancement is sufficient for reliable lesion detection.