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.

RSS icon

Philips' latest collaboration could make xenon MR imaging more widely available

In alliance with Polarean, Philips is rolling out a new MR system with advanced multi-nuclei imaging capabilities that will offer radiologists a detailed evaluation of lung ventilation using xenon gas as a contrast agent.

Is warming iodinated contrast prior to use really necessary?

The ACR Manual on Contrast Media suggests that highly viscous ICM should be warmed to body temperature prior to administration when using high-rate intravenous low-osmolality power injections, viscous iodinated CM, small-caliber catheters, or for timed studies looking at peak enhancement.   

The new MRI contrast agent gadopiclenol, sold under the trade names Elucirem and Vueway by Bracco and Guerbet, used 50% less gadolinium that current MRI agents. #RSNA22 #RSNA

New contrast agent earns positive safety classification from ACR

The ACR Committee on Drugs and Contrast Media stated that exposure to the gadolinium-based contrast agent represents a “sufficiently low or possibly nonexistent” risk to patients.

New data suggest clinicians should think twice before foregoing contrast-enhanced imaging

The new data highlight a potential pitfall of unenhanced CT scans on patients presenting to emergency departments with acute pain—an inaccurate workup.

Thumbnail

ACR applauds FDA about-face on use of iodinated contrast in children

The update marks a change from the FDA's stance on the topic last year.

CCTA with patient-specific versus fixed post-trigger delay

Patient-specific versus fixed post-trigger delay: Which offers superior CCTA image quality?

New research compares peak enhancement timing of a patient-specific post-trigger delay and a fixed delay during CCTA.

Iodine contrast being loaded into a contrast injector in preparation for a cardiac CT scan at Duly Health and Care in Lisle, Illinois. The contrast shortage is causing some healthcare organizations to postpone exams and procedures and ration contrast supplies. Photo by Dave Fornell

How to manage patients in need of contrast-enhanced imaging following an allergic-like reaction

Up to one-third or more of patients who experience moderate or severe allergic-like reactions to ICM must have their imaging protocols revised when subsequent exams involving contrast are requested.

synthetic contrast-enhanced breast MRI

GBCA dose drops significantly in breast MRI thanks to machine learning

The use of synthetic images could reduce the amount of gadolinium-based contrast agents needed for breast MRI examinations, according to new data published this week in Radiology. 

Displaying 33 - 40 of 145

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
A closer look at how FDA's flurpiridaz approval will impact nuclear cardiology

The newly approved PET radiotracer is expected to improve patient care significantly. “We have been able to reach the pinnacle of myocardial perfusion imaging with flurpiridaz," one expert said.

Cardiovascular Business
'This could be a paradigm shift': How PET with newly approved flurpiridaz compares to SPECT

GE HealthCare's flurpiridaz, the PET radiotracer that recently received FDA approval, offers several key benefits over SPECT. Jamshid Maddahi, MD, discussed the details in an exclusive interview. 

Cardiovascular Business
Ultrafast myocardial contrast echocardiography shows early potential to evaluate CAD

Ultrafast MCE could go on to become a go-to treatment option for obstructive coronary artery disease, according to the authors of a new first-in-human clinical study.

Design by Adaptive Theme
Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup