Contrast media: future aspects

Abstract

In spite of the dramatic development in CT, there was no major breakthrough in the iodinated contrast media development. New agents based on hybrid between MRI and CT compounds may be a new innovative alternative. This new approach may also open new indications such as radiotherapy.

Imaging atoms in medicine

“…New contrast agents that incorporate the advantages of two or more imaging techniques, what has been coined as multimodal contrast agents, are at this time being developed. For example, the company Schering, now Bayer, has developed a hybrid new contrast agent that combines in a molecule three moieties for MRI imaging with three gadolinium ions and a moiety for CT imaging with three iodine atoms (Weinmann et al 2005). As mentioned, the MRI contrast agents employed in clinical routine examinations lack of specificity so scientists are developing smart contrast agents selective to the tissue to be studied that provide better enhancements of the images (Caravan 2006).…”

Risks and Complications of Coronary Angiography: Contrast Related Complications

“…Since Wilhelm Röntgen reported his novel discovery of the X-Ray in 1895(Röntgen, 1898 as cited in Weinmann etal., 2005), the Diagnostic imaging has been an integral part of medicine. He was decorated by the second class of Prussian crown medal and he was also awarded the first physic Nobel Prize at 1901.…”

“…But the most important contributor to the field of urological imaging came from the field of agriculture when A Binz and C Räth, two scientists from the Berlin agricultural college synthesized a new organic iodinated molecule "Selectan" (Binz & Räth 1928 as cited in Hierholzer K & Hierholzer J, 2002), and a research fellow used this agent in clinical investigations. (Swick 1929a(Swick , 1929b as cited in Hierholzer K & Hierholzer J, 2002;Weinmann etal., 2005). In 1928 an urologist, Forssmann, used one of these agents in his own coronary arteries (Hricak & Barbarive 1984).This was an unexpected methodological contribution of urological research to cardiology.…”

Advances in the Diagnosis of Coronary Atherosclerosis

“…But the most important contributor to the field of urological imaging came from the field of agriculture when A Binz and C Räth, two scientists from the Berlin agricultural college synthesized a new organic iodinated molecule "Selectan"(Binz & Räth 1928 as cited in Hierholzer K & Hierholzer J, 2002), and a research fellow used this agent in clinical investigations. (Swick 1929a(Swick , 1929b as cited in Hierholzer K & Hierholzer J, 2002;Weinmann etal., 2005).…”