Evaluation of Celiography in Rats

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A radiologic technic for exact delineation of tumors in the peritoneal cavity is not available. Conventional contrast studies of the gut are unsatisfactory for demonstration of intraperitoneal extension of primary and metastatic neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. The introduction of air in pneumoperitoneography (3), parietography (5), and pelvic air studies (7) represented advances in diagnostic technic. Because more detailed roentgenographic demonstration of the peritoneal surfaces of abdominal organs is needed, the use of contrast media for the coating of the peritoneal cavity offers a promising roentgenologic method. Rollino (6) and Birzle (2) have reported the use of water-soluble contrast media in the peritoneal cavities of small animals. Bétoulières and his group (1) obtained roentgenograms by means of supramesocolic injections of water-soluble contrast medium into the peritoneal cavity of normal human subjects, using local anesthetic. The experimental studies were performed on normal rats, rabbits, and guinea-pigs, and were followed by histologic examination at planned intervals. Birzle reported that three hours after injection, the peritoneum of the rats showed mild perivascular inflammation. Margulis and his co-workers (4) used iothalamic acid, a particulate and barely soluble contrast medium, in the peritoneal cavity of dogs and rats. On histologic studies, tissue reaction and toxicity were absent. The term “celiography” introduced in the report of Margulis and his group will be used here also in preference to “peritoneography.” It refers to the whole abdomen instead of only the peritoneal lining, and includes contrast visualization of any of the intra-abdominal organs. The present study was done in order to: (a) evaluate the toxicity, rapidity of absorption, and practicality of Hypaque, Renografin, barium sulfate, and iothalamic acid as contrast media in ce1iography and (a) to compare the effectiveness of a water-soluble contrast medium (Hypaque) with a particulate medium (iothalamic acid) in outlining simulated tumors. Material and Methods Iothalamic acid2 is a white powder, almost insoluble in water. The data about the LD50 in mice and the pH after injection of 35 per cent suspension into the intraperitoneal cavity of rats were reported previously (4). In the present study a 30 per cent suspension was injected into albino rats, using 1 ml. for each 100 gm. of rat weight. The other media evaluated for celiography were methylglucamine diatrizoate (Renografin3) in a solution of 60 per cent, and sodium diatrizoate (Hypaque4) in a 50 per cent solution. Barotrast5 in a 30 per cent concentration was the barium sulfate suspension used. (It also contains a suspending agent.) The rats were anesthetized with intramuscular injections of Sodium Nembutal into the thigh.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: