[1st experience with Solutrast, a new contrast medium for myelography]

Following a brief survey of myelographic results with aqueous contrast media, the article reports on the results obtained in 150 myelographies with the new contrast medium Lopamidol = Solutrast. This substance was found to be very well tolerated, involving low risk, and is suitable for examining the entire vertebral canal. The image quality is faultless.

[Pain reduction in peripheral arteriographies of the upper and lower extremities in a double blind test. Lidocain/ioglicinate versus metrizamide (author's transl)]

36 aortofemoral and 18 brachial angiographies effected under standardized conditions in a double blind test in approximately two equal parts with Lidocain/Ioglicinate and Metrizamide, respectively, were evaluated with regard to vascular pain and sensation of heat during the examination. With the femoralis angiograms reduction of vascular pain was on the average somewhat greater, although this could not be established statistically when using Metrizamide. In the case of the angiogram of the arm, pain was on the average equally low in both cases. Of the 14 patients who had received injections of both contrast media in varying succession at intervals of 20 minutes, 6 patients considered the Metrizamide injection to be more agreeable, whereas 2 preferred the Lidocain/Ioglicinate injection and 6 patients did not notice any significant difference. The average sensation of heat during contrast medium visualisation of the legs and arms was equal with both substances. Lidocain/Ioglicinate and Metrizamide are approximately equally well suited for peripheral angiography of arms and legs, rendering narcosis and strapping down of the extremities unneccessary in normal cases.

[Clinical experiences in rapid infusion of jotroxamide in cholegraphie (author's transl)]

Jotroxamid has been infused intravenously in 60 patients within 10 minutes for cholegraphy. At the evaluation, contrast medium side effects, heterotopie excretion, quality of contrast and length of examination time have been considered. Reactions to the contrast medium were low compared with the results of other authors, an increase of cases with roentgenographie demonstrable heterotopic excretion could not be observed. Opacification of the biliary duct system was except in 2 cases very good. The total examination time was compared with the conventional infusion rate 30 minutes less.

Image quality in cranial computed tomography

Image quality in cranial computed tomography (CT) was evaluated with phantom and patient studies on both a first (single beam) and a second (multiple beam) generation scanner. When comparable radiation doses were used, there were only minor differences in resolution, low contrast detectability, and noise level. The pattern of noise relative to the size of the area in which it was measured was somewhat different. On patient studies, no differences were found when contrast-material-filled vessel visibility and gray--white matter distinction were analyzed. A lesion was obscured by streak artifacts in one scanner in one of 22 patients scanned on both machines. The major factor in image quality as seen in the two scanners seemed to be in the production of artifacts. This was apparent in artifacts from motion, high contrast discontinuities, beam hardening, and edge enhancement. Multiple factors must be considered in assessing CT image quality. In particular, further studies to quantitatively evaluate noise quality and artifact production are needed.

[Clinical comparative study between the contrast media Biligram, Endomirabil and Biliscopin (author's transl)]

The contrast media Biligram, Endomirabil und Biliscopin are tested in comparative series in a total of 304 patients. The optimal time of exposure for visulaization of the bile ducts and gallbladder is between 60 and 90 minutes in combined filling with Biloptin and the contrast medium used. The contrast media do not differ from one another in a significant manner in respect of contrast densification. All three constrast media have low side effects for injection times of 5 minutes. The side effect quota increases with the amount of injected contrast medium. Of all three contrast media, Biliscopin has the lowest side effect quota.

[Studies on a new hepatotropic contrast medium]

The contrast-material Biliscopin was clinically studied in 101 patients. No side-effects were observed when the injection time was stretched over a 5 min period. The visible heterotopic excretion which correlates with the iodine concentration was low in the case of Biliscopin. Optimal visualisation of the biliary tract was obtained 60--90 min after injection. The remarkably long visualisation of the biliary tract allows tomography beyond 90 min after injection; this is seen as an advantage for X-ray departments with limited tomographic facilities.

Hepatography

A method of hepatography in dogs is described in which contrast medium is infused via the external jugular and superior and inferior venae cavae and hepatic veins. Hepatograms taken by infusing different contrast media in the normal liver and in the liver subjected to parenchymatous damage are also analyzed in detail.

Glass fragments and other particles contaminating contrast media

Microscopy of filtrates made from contrast media of routinely opened glass ampoules substantiates previous assumptions that small fragments of glass may enter into the ampoule and the medium with considerable frequency. Such glass fragments may cause embolic lesions on intraarterial injections of the medium; the lesions, however, are histologically non-specific consisting of proliferation of intima and small granulomas associated with dilated nephrons in a ray-like arrangement. A significant amount of plastic particles may be added to injectable fluids on usage of disposable syringes.

[Testing a pure methylglucamin salt of joxitalamin acid for contrast and side effects in angiography (author's transl)]

The pure methylglucamin salt of 5 acetamido-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl). 2,4,6-trijodisophthalamic acid has been tested on 163 arterio- and venograms. Density of contrast and side effects proved favorable. Since it is easily injected, this substance is suitable for angiography.

Physical characteristics of barium contrast media and their influence on roentgen image information

Various barium contrast media intended for radiographic examinations of the colon were analysed in a plastic model. This model contained fixed test objects which could be identified and counted on the films thus providing a measure of image information obtainable. Particular attention was paid to the marked differences in sedimentation of the various contrast media and the manner in which these affected image information.