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.

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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

Radiologists find direct evidence linking gadolinium-based contrast agent to higher retention rates

Experts compared retention and elimination rates between gadoteridol, a macrocyclic GBCA, and gadobenate dimeglumine, a linear contrast agent.

June 15, 2021

Radiologists reignite debate over the specialty's role in monitoring contrast injections

This opinion piece is the third published in JACR since the issue first popped up in March when two providers argued it may be time to reconsider rads' role in adverse events.

May 24, 2021
New research out of the Yale School of Public Health suggests that patients taking beta-blockers or antiplatelet medications may want to be extra careful in warmer weather.

MRI contrast may supplant current ‘gold standard’ for assessing heart attack damage

Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging depicts heart muscle health and could more quickly inform treatment strategies.

May 12, 2021
Ultrasound Tech

Any further safety concerns could hinder ultrasound contrast agent delivery, manufacturer warns

North Billerica, Massachusetts-based Lantheus shared its forecast in a quarterly financial report published May 4. 

May 7, 2021

Man facing possible prison time after administering CT contrast without license, proper training

Omayr K. Niazi, 41, holds a pharmacy technician license and is being charged with aggravated battery, forgery and wire fraud.

May 5, 2021
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Death of a woman who suffered allergic reaction to CT contrast prompts inquiry

Peta Hickey, 43, was referred for an exam in 2019 as part of her company's corporate heart check program.

April 29, 2021
approved approval

FDA greenlights clinical trials testing novel MRI contrast agent for prostate cancer

Case Western Reserve University developed the gadolinium material, which is expected to be tested in 30 healthy participants beginning later this month.

April 23, 2021
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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
AI improves CT assessments, boosts care for real-world heart patients

Automated AI-generated measurements combined with annotated CT images can improve treatment planning and help referring physicians and patients better understand their disease, explained Sarah Jane Rinehart, MD, director of cardiac imaging with Charleston Area Medical Center.

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. 

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