Minimally invasive alternatives to traditional operative hepatic cryoablation: works in progress.

Primary and secondary malignant disease of the liver remains a major health problem in the United States and abroad. It is estimated that over 130,000 new cases and 55,000 deaths will result from colorectal carcinoma in 1997. In this same year, 13,600 new cases and 12,400 deaths are also expected to result from primary hepatic tumors.

Evaluation of an experimental low-attenuation gastrointestinal contrast agent for CT imaging of intestinal ischemia in an animal model.

Rationale And Objectives: The authors evaluated the use of MRX-320, a low-attenuation, expansile oral contrast agent, for the demonstration of intestinal ischemia in an animal model.

Materials And Methods: Nine dogs were given either MRX-320, water, or diatrizoate as an oral contrast agent through a jejunostomy tube. Two dogs received no oral contrast agent.

Combined hepatocyte-selective and blood-pool contrast agents for the CT detection of experimental liver tumors in rabbits.

Purpose: To determine the imaging characteristics of a new computed tomographic (CT) contrast material with both hepatocyte-selective and blood-pool components (iodinated triglyceride (ITG)-dual) versus standard iohexol.

Materials And Methods: VX2 carcinoma was inoculated in seven rabbits. Animals underwent nonenhanced, iohexol-enhanced (600 mg of iodine per kilogram of body weight), and ITG-dual-enhanced (blood-pool moiety, 100 mg of iodine per kilogram; hepatocyte-selective moiety, 100 or 200 mg of iodine per kilogram, injected 90 minutes apart) helical CT.

CT-monitored percutaneous cryoablation in a pig liver model: pilot study.

Purpose: To determine the safety and feasibility of percutaneous cryoablation with computed tomographic (CT) guidance in a pig liver model.

Materials And Methods: Nine angiographic balloons (mean diameter, 9 mm) were placed in the livers of seven domestic pigs (mean weight, 30.0 kg +/- 14.