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MR imaging of pulmonary parenchyma and emboli by paramagnetic and superparamagnetic contrast agents
M L Thakur1, S Vinitski, D G Mitchell
1Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
Abstract:
Using experimentally induced pulmonary emboli in an animal model, three intravenously administered contrast agents, Gd-DTPA-albumin microspheres (8-15 microns, 0.2 M particles/mg protein, 39-106 micrograms Gd/mg, 50 mg/ml), Gd-DTPA-liposomes (15-30 microns, 130 micrograms/mg lipid, 6 mg Gd/ml) and superparamagnetic ferrosome, (60 nm, 100 mM iron and 20 mg lipid/ml) were examined for MR imaging. Gd-DTPA entrapped in lung capillaries did not enhance the signal intensity of lung parenchyma, but liposomes (5 ml) served as better Gd-DTPA carriers and increased the parenchymal signal intensity by up to a factor of 2.3. However, neither agent improved delineation of pulmonary emboli. Ferrosome decreased the intensity of lung parenchyma, improving detectability of pulmonary emboli by several factors.
Insights
Researchers compared three MRI contrast agents for detecting pulmonary emboli. Ferrosome improved emboli detection by decreasing lung signal intensity, while Gd-DTPA liposomes enhanced lung signal but not emboli visualization.
Area of Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Medical Imaging Agents
- Pulmonary Embolism Detection
Background:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis relies on imaging techniques.
- Contrast agents enhance MRI signal but their efficacy for PE varies.
- Evaluating novel contrast agents for improved PE detection is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of three intravenous contrast agents for MR imaging of pulmonary emboli.
- To compare Gd-DTPA-albumin microspheres, Gd-DTPA-liposomes, and ferrosome in an animal model.
- To determine which agent best improves the detectability of pulmonary emboli.
Main Methods:
- Experimentally induced pulmonary emboli in an animal model.
- Intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA-albumin microspheres, Gd-DTPA-liposomes, and ferrosome.
- MR imaging analysis of lung parenchyma signal intensity and emboli delineation.
Main Results:
- Gd-DTPA-albumin microspheres and Gd-DTPA-liposomes did not enhance pulmonary emboli delineation.
- Gd-DTPA-liposomes increased lung parenchyma signal intensity by up to 2.3-fold.
- Ferrosome decreased lung parenchyma signal intensity, improving pulmonary emboli detectability significantly.
Conclusions:
- Ferrosome demonstrates superior performance in enhancing the detectability of pulmonary emboli via MRI.
- Gd-DTPA-based agents, particularly liposomes, enhance lung parenchyma signal but not emboli visualization.
- Ferrosome holds promise as an effective contrast agent for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.