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.

Skin test may prevent adverse reactions to radiocontrast material

A skin test may help clinicians prevent adverse drug reactions in patients receiving radiocontrast material, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology.

August 15, 2019

No evidence IV contrast causes renal damage in patients with kidney disease, study finds

A new study found that chronic kidney disease patients who received IV contrast-enhanced imaging faced no more risk of developing contrast-induced nephropathy than those who did not receive contrast material.

August 7, 2019

Cardiac MRI contrast agent receives FDA approval

The FDA has approved Bayer’s gadobutrol (Gadavist) injection for use in cardiac MRI, making it the first contrast agent approved for the imaging technique, according to a statement from Bayer.

July 16, 2019

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography improves post-op cancer screening

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) can be a helpful method to screen for postoperative breast cancer when paired with traditional mammography, according to research published July 6 in Clinical Radiology.

July 9, 2019

Can dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI help researchers understand migraines?

Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI can help measure the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in areas of the brain associated with migraines, potentially providing insight into the debilitating headaches and other neurovascular disorders.

July 3, 2019

Safety of CT contrast agents called into question

Using contrast agents to enhance CT scans is an established risk factor for kidney injury in those at risk for renal complications, according to a March 23 NPR report, but the research that drove that conclusion years ago might be unbalanced.

March 29, 2019

Imaging contrast allergies are poorly documented in EHRs

Documenting contrast allergies in the electronic health record (EHR) is central for safe imaging, but a new study found such records are incomplete, misleading and often ambiguous. A multidisciplinary approach may be needed to solve the problem.

March 7, 2019

Ultrasound societies want the FDA to remove contrast label warning

The International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) is again urging the FDA to remove the “black box” warning from ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) labels, following its filing of a September 2018 citizen petition with the federal agency.

March 6, 2019

Around the web

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.

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

"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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