Iodized Rape-Seed Oil (Campiodol) for Cerebrospinal Visualization

Since Sicard and Forestier,1 in 1923, reported the use of iodized poppy-seed oil, lipiodol, for cerebrospinal visualization, the method has received widespread recognition not only as an aid to cerebrospinal visualization but for pulmonary, uterine and sinus photography. The extensive use of the iodized oils and other substances for roentgenographic exploration has prompted us to review the entire subject and to carry out a series of experiments on substances which are opaque to the x-rays, and which might be used for cerebrospinal photography. We have carefully studied twelve of the elements, among which were strontium, bromine, tungsten, lead, silver, gold, platinum and iodine. In selecting the elements we were governed by the fundamental laws of the shadow-casting capacity of a substance when exposed to the x-rays. In general, the shadow-casting property is proportional to the atomic weight and the density of the element or compound. The atomic weight is the