Abstract
We have been attempting local injection of OK-432 in a lymph node or its surrounding areas in patients with lymph node metastases when we confirmed that the patients had relapse. We mixed OK-432 solution and lipiodol. After injection of this mixture, we examined the extent of infiltration of this mixture with fluoroscopy, We checked whether this mixture was actually in the state of emulsion. Immediately after mixing them, a single water phase was observed, and three hours later, two phases were already separated as determined by a visual inspection. However, at this stage, majority of the cases were in the state of emulsification. These findings may indicate that the mixture was in emulsion at the time of injection, and that it gradually degraded successively in the body. However, we speculate that it might be possible to achieve more stable emulsion by the use of surfactants or by adjusting differences in the specific gravities of two phases.
