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.

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

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GE HealthCare's new MRI contrast agent advances to clinical trial

Experts are hopeful that the first-of-its-kind injectable manganese-based macrocyclic agent will offer a suitable alternative to GBCAs, as it can be more efficiently eliminated from the body.

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Expert left 'astounded' by gadolinium discovery

New data out of the University of New Mexico suggest that the imaging agent’s physiologic reach may exceed what was previously believed.

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New contrast agent is officially available for use in hospitals and clinics

A Feb. 14 announcement from Bracco indicates that the recently FDA-approved, gadolinium-based contrast agent VUEWAY, also known as gadopiclenol, is officially being used for patients undergoing MR imaging.

#CTA #photoncountingCT #aortaCT

Photon counting cuts CTA contrast dosage 25%

Not only does the low-volume contrast protocol preserve supplies, it also protects patients who might be vulnerable to adverse reactions and/or side effects from contrast use. 

Contrast-enhanced mammography uses iodine contrast injected into a patient and mammography system to image contrast uptake or areas of increased vascular activity, which is typical of cancers. This can help image through dense breast tissue to find cancers that are otherwise masked by dense breast tissue.

Radiologists should be aware of these clinical factors when reading CEM scans

The degree of background parenchymal enhancement on CEM during certain days of a premenopausal woman's cycle could impact how radiologists interpret the exam.

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Do non-physician providers request contrast-enhanced imaging more often?

The growing presence of non-physician practitioners has created an increased demand for contrast-enhanced imaging, according to new data.

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How common are acute kidney injuries in kids following contrast administration?

Based on the findings of a new paper in Radiology, the risks of contrast-associated acute kidney injuries are rare in kids, but age can be a protective factor.