Imaging Contrast

Contrast agents are injected into patients to help enhance images to make it easier for radiologists distinguish specific areas of the body from surrounding tissues. The most commonly used agents are iodinated contrast dye for computed tomography (CT), interventional cath lab angiography, RF fluoroscopy, and in surgical OR procedures. MRI scans typically use gadolinium-based contrast agents. Ultrasound and echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) imaging use contrast agents composed of microscopic bubbles to enhance images that otherwise would be suboptimal.

ChatGPT shows 'significant promise' in guiding contrast-related decisions
This could be especially helpful when timely clinical decisions relative to the use of a contrast agent need to be made.
Imaging platform that illuminates residual breast cancer in real-time gets 'historic' FDA approval
LumiSystem enables surgeons to intraoperatively illuminate residual cancerous tissue in the breast cavity during lumpectomy surgery.
Should women pause breastfeeding after contrast injections? Survey reveals vastly different opinions
The recommendations differ between professional medical organizations and contrast manufacturers as well.
Outpatient study finds CT contrast is generally safe, but risk of adverse events varies with the seasons
A three-institution study of 473,482 patients found the risk of an adverse event following CT contrast increases in the summer and fall.
FDA approves cardiac ultrasound enhancement drug for pediatric patients
The safety and efficacy for using Definity was backed by three successful clinical studies.

Warming up CT contrast agents raises radiology department costs and few clinical benefits

Checking the temperature of warming devices and maintaining equipment may not be entirely necessary, new research suggests.

November 5, 2021

AI combining contrast-enhanced and non-contrast CT accurately identifies brain metastases

The platform utilizing both image types detected cancer with a positive predictive value of 44%, beating out a contrast-only approach.

November 2, 2021

Delayed-phase contrast-CT scans can help detect early pancreatic cancers, study shows

Given pancreatic cancer is aggressive and challenging to treat, early detection is key to a positive prognosis, researchers explained.

October 20, 2021

AI carries ‘enormous potential’ to transform cardiac MRI, reduce scan times without using contrast

Virtual native enhancement produces higher quality scans compared to traditional modalities but without gadolinium-enhancement required.

August 31, 2021

AI automates radiologists’ decision to perform prostate MRI scans with or without contrast

Ideally, clinicians could weigh the pros and cons for each exam, but time is typically at a premium for radiology departments flooded with prostate scan requests.

August 26, 2021

Fewer than 2% of patients know which imaging contrast caused their allergic reaction

Providers share some of the blame, and should provide patients with written documentation of the offending contrast material, experts argued in Clinical Imaging.

August 9, 2021

AI software that eliminates need for gadolinium contrast during imaging exams wins patent

The automated tool takes non-contrast scans and outputs synthetic images mimicking exams enhanced with GBCAs.

June 25, 2021

Gadolinium contrast helps radiologists’ confidence with neuroblastomas on MRI, but rarely alters care

Intravenous contrast may not be necessary for follow-up exams in certain patients with this form of cancer, a new analysis suggests.

June 18, 2021

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

AI predicts cardiovascular risk during CT scans—no invasive tests or contrast required

Two advanced algorithms—one for CAC scores and another for segmenting cardiac chamber volumes—outperformed radiologists when assessing low-dose chest CT scans.

Radiology Business

Google teams with Bayer to address radiologist burnout via AI

"Gen AI can help tackle repetitive tasks and provide insights into massive datasets, saving valuable time," Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, said Tuesday.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Imaging Contrast

ChatGPT shows 'significant promise' in guiding contrast-related decisions

Imaging platform that illuminates residual breast cancer in real-time gets 'historic' FDA approval

Should women pause breastfeeding after contrast injections? Survey reveals vastly different opinions

Outpatient study finds CT contrast is generally safe, but risk of adverse events varies with the seasons

FDA approves cardiac ultrasound enhancement drug for pediatric patients

Around the web