X-Ray Contrast Presentation of the Thoracic Duct by Enterally Resorbed Iodized Oil Emulsions in Cats and Dog~

Abstract

Iodized oils have been used in two completely different fields of clinical medicine:
1. Fat resorption tests as a diagnostic approach to pancreatic disorders (e.g. Lipiodol
test of TTemoliere [ l]). The amount of resorbed fat may be assayed by quantitative
icdine analysis.
2. Direct lymphography. This method has proved suitable especially for peripheral
lymphatics and lymph node presentation. It may also be used to demonstrate the thoracic
duct. It is inconvenient, however, and direct lymphography with high doses (20-40 cern
contrast medium) comprises a relatively high rate of complications (2).
In a number of experiments in cats and dogs we tried to combine the above modes
of application in order to achieve contrast presentation of U1e thoracic duct with a
physiologic approach.
The findings reported here comprise the combined resu lts of two series of tests, the
first conducted between 1966 and 1968 in cats (see also 3, 4) and the second in 1968
and 1969 in dogs (5). We intend to give a critical evaluation and comparison of the
different methods used to provide sufficienlly high concentrations of contrast medium
in •boracic duct lymph by means of increased or accelerated enteral resorption.