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.

New iron-based imaging agent significantly improves brain tumor visualization
Ferumoxytol is used primarily in medications that treat anemia, but the FDA recently cleared it for deployment in brain imaging as well.
New data on GBCA safety indicate risk of renal complications 'exceedingly low'
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a serious, potentially fatal disease that progressively causes the skin and underlying tissues to harden.
Dual-energy CT systems allow for significant reduction in contrast dose
DECT systems allow for a contrast dose reduction of up to 25% during computed tomography pulmonary angiography exams.
Experts call for more judicious use of contrast, highlighting environmental concerns
New data highlight the significant burden contrast media use places on the environment, prompting experts to call for more stringent use of these agents.
MRI patients willing to commute farther for clinics that use low-dose GBCAs
Data suggest most patients in need of contrast-enhanced MR imaging would prefer lower dose alternatives. Some are willing to go well out of their way to achieve that.

Generic substitute for gadolinium-based contrast agent Gadavist hits the market

The contrast agent, simply called Gadobutrol Injection, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is now available in the United States.

Rethinking ICM storage could help imaging departments reduce waste by 59%

“While drug pricing is not opaque and absolute costs of medications can vary widely, any waste comes at a cost," researchers wrote in a new analysis.

PROMISE trial results reinforce confidence in new MRI contrast agent

The randomized, double-blinded phase 3 study revealed gadopiclenol to be noninferior to gadobutrol for all qualitative visualization parameters as rated by all blinded readers involved in the trial.

New discovery paves the way for copper's entrance into MRI contrast agents

The new discovery contradicts the notion that copper is not suitable for use in contrast media.

Syringeless contrast media injectors like the GE Ulrich CT Motion have gained a lot of interest in 2022 because of the iodine contrast shortage. These systems use rollers to squeeze precise amounts of contrast from a large bolus container for multiple patients, helping conserve a significant amount of contrast.

Multi-use syringeless injectors could completely eliminate contrast waste

Such products could increase departmental efficiency and advance environmental initiatives in radiology, experts claimed in Academic Radiology.

MR angiography a suitable alternative to CT when ruling out pulmonary embolus

The modality switch became especially important during the iodinated contrast shortage of 2022 when clinics were forced to deploy mitigation tactics as a means of preserving their contrast supply.

When GBCA use in musculoskeletal imaging is and is not appropriate

Although gadolinium-based contrast agents are largely considered safe and are routinely used for MRI exams, experts suggest that providers should still utilize GBCAs sparingly for musculoskeletal studies.

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.

Imaging Contrast

New iron-based imaging agent significantly improves brain tumor visualization

New data on GBCA safety indicate risk of renal complications 'exceedingly low'

Dual-energy CT systems allow for significant reduction in contrast dose

Experts call for more judicious use of contrast, highlighting environmental concerns

MRI patients willing to commute farther for clinics that use low-dose GBCAs