Arthrography using perfluorocarbon compounds.

The neat liquid and an emulsion of two perfluorocarbon compounds were injected into the knee joints of dogs and a human cadaver to investigate their applicability for arthrography. Excellent delineation of joint structures was observed for as long as 24 hours, but after 24 hours each contrast agent leaked out of the joint capsule into surrounding tissue. Light microscopy of joint tissue revealed a synovial proliferative reaction and a foreign-body granuloma reaction in surrounding tissues. No clinically apparent adverse side effects were evident in the test animals.