iothalamate-meglumine and Ependymoma

The usefulness of intravenous contrast-enhanced CT in delineating intraspinal cord tumors has not been well documented. To determine if intradural spinal tumors enhance, if the location and type of tumor can be determined, and if a double dose of contrast material provides more information than a single dose, a retrospective study of 23 patients with proven intradural extramedullary or intramedullary tumors was performed. All the tumors studied with CT after intravenous contrast enhancement showed that most lesions (18/23) enhanced, contrary to published reports. Contrast-enhanced studies delineated the extent of the tumor, helping to separate solid and cystic components. The enhancement pattern of ependymomas and astrocytomas was similar, while schwannomas had a characteristic appearance. A double dose of intravenous contrast material had no apparent advantage over a single dose.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astrocytoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Ependymoma; Female; Humans; Infant; Iothalamate Meglumine; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Neurilemmoma; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The nonionic contrast agent iohexol was compared with the ionic agent iothalamate for contrast enhancement of brain tumors and radiation brain damage in dogs. Tissue enhancement during infusion of contrast and 5, 10, 15 and 30 min later was measured using quantitative computed tomography. Blood iodine was measured using x-ray fluorescence. Peak contrast enhancement occurred during infusion in tumors and after 5 min in irradiated normal brain for both contrast agents. Absolute uptake of contrast in each lesion was the same for both agents when normalized to total grams of iodine administered. Blood iodine levels were slightly but not significantly higher using iohexol. The reduced osmotic load and similar contrast enhancement of lesions suggest that the nonionic contrast medium iohexol may be a useful agent for routine CT of the brain.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Brain Neoplasms; Dogs; Ependymoma; Iodine Radioisotopes; Iodobenzoates; Iohexol; Iothalamate Meglumine; Iothalamic Acid; Male; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Triiodobenzoic Acids

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Arachnoiditis; Cauda Equina; Child, Preschool; Ependymoma; Humans; Iothalamate Meglumine; Iothalamic Acid; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Middle Aged; Myelography; Osteochondritis; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Spinal Injuries; Spinal Neoplasms

After the first report on ventriculography with a water-soluble contrast medium, Conray, by Campbell et al., many authors reported complications such as convulsion which are attributable to the irritating effect of this agent. On the other hand its value has been appriciated. Recently Gonsette recommended a new water-soluble contrast medium, meglumine iocarnate (Dimer-X), for ventriculography and reported that this new agent is less epileptogenic and less harmful. Because of these advantages, they have been performing ventriculography routinely with Dimer-X and recognized its usefulness. The only noticeable complication has been the transient elevation of body temperature in almost a half of the series. As far as our experience goes there is no case of convulsive seizure as complication. As compared to gas ventriculography, the fine details of dimension and configuration of the ventricles are far more beautifully delineated with the water-soluble contrast media.

Topics: Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventriculography; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniopharyngioma; Ependymoma; Female; Humans; Infant; Iothalamate Meglumine; Iothalamic Acid; Male; Pinealoma; Teratoma