Contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging of the liver: present and future.
New contrast agents are being developed by drug companies to better image the liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They can be divided into hepatobiliary agents (Gd-EOB-DTPA, Gd-BOPTA, Mangafodipir) and nanoparticulate agents directed to the reticulo-endothelial system (ferumoxides, SHU 555A). After intravenous injection, all these agents concentrate in the liver and induce profound signal changes. Particulate agents induce predominantly a darkening of the liver parenchyma, while hepatobiliary agents induce a brightening. In both cases, liver-lesion conspicuity is enhanced, leading to a better visualization of the lesion. After a description of the principal pharmacokinetic characteristics of the compounds, this review paper summarizes the utility of the agents in the detection and characterization of focal liver diseases.
Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Laënnec, Paris, France.
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O
Clément
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Siauve
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M
Lewin
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E
de Kerviler
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Cuénod
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Frija
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000145:classification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media