MR contrast agents, the old and the new.

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a crucial diagnostic tool.
• Contrast agents significantly improve the detection and characterization of various pathologies.
• Gadolinium chelates represent the most common class of extracellular, non-specific MR contrast agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the properties and characteristics of commercially available MR contrast agents.
• To summarize the imaging applications of these agents.
• To assess the safety profile of MR contrast agents in both normal and high-risk patients.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of commercially available MR contrast agents.
• Analysis of properties, characteristics, and imaging applications.
• Evaluation of safety data in diverse patient populations.

Main Results:

• Gadolinium chelates are widely used extracellular MR contrast agents.
• Newer organ-specific MR contrast agents have been developed.
• Commercially available MR contrast agents are generally safe and well-tolerated.

Conclusions:

• MR contrast agents are essential for diagnosing neoplastic, inflammatory, and functional abnormalities.
• A comprehensive understanding of agent properties, applications, and safety is vital for clinical use.
• This review provides a summary of current MR contrast agents for radiologists and clinicians.