New media. Experience from 10 years of development of water-soluble nonionic contrast media

Some experiences are presented from 11 years of work within a group trying to develop better water-soluble contrast media for myelography, urography, and angiography. The group consisted of chemists, pharmacologists, neurophysiologists, and radiologists interested in research. The first nonionic water-soluble contrast medium in clinical use, metrizamide (Amipaque), was developed within the group. Some data obtained within the group are presented. Interest is focused on effects of clinical and experimental contrast media on the central nervous system, arachnoid membrane, and blood-brain barrier.