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The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the application of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) as a contrast agent for a clinical x-ray computed tomography system using a phantom and using juvenile swine. A tissue-mimicking phantom with spherical inclusions containing known concentrations of gold was scanned. Swine were injected with gum Arabic stabilized gold nanoparticles (GA-AuNP), up to 85 mg kg −1 body weight. CT scans were performed prior to and after the injections. Changes in HU values between pre-and post-injection scans were evaluated and compared to post-mortem determinations of gold uptake. Average uptake of GA-AuNP in the liver of the swine was 380 μg per gram of liver and 680 μg per gram of spleen. Concentrations of gold in tissues increased the CT numbers in liver by approximately 22 HU per mg Au concentration at 80 kVp and 27 HU per mg Au concentration at 140 kVp. These data were consistent with HU changes observed for similar concentrations in the phantom. Conclusion: AuNP based contrast agents may be useful in x-ray based computed tomography. This study provides data for determining concentrations of AuNP in comparison to other contrast materials.

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