Local tissue reaction after injection of contrast media on gastric wall of mouse: experimental study for application of contrast media to computed tomography lymphography

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) lymphography is a simple technique of sentinel node navigation but tissue reaction after injection of contrast media has not been reported yet. METHODS: Ninety mice used in this study were divided into three groups: lipiodol, iopamidol, and normal saline. The test compounds were given by submucosal injection to the gastric wall of anesthetized mice. The specimens were subjected to histopathological examination. RESULTS: The mean grades of acute inflammatory response after iopamidol and lipiodol injection were significantly higher than control group. However, there was no significant difference between iopamidol and lipiodol injection. The mean grade of chronic inflammatory response and fibrosis showed no differences between groups. The presence or absence of fibrinoid necrosis and mesothelial hyperplasia showed no statistical differences at each time point between groups. The foam cell, which is similar to human signet ring cell carcinoma, were not identified in normal saline and iopamidol group, but were detected by postoperative day 7 in lipiodol group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that iopamidol and lipiodol when used as a contrast media of CT lymphography is an available material for preoperative sentinel node navigation surgery for gastric cancer with an acceptable incidence of pathological alterations in a mouse model. Our results are potentially useful to clinical (human) application.