Imaging Contrast

Contrast agents are injected into patients to help enhance images to make it easier for radiologists distinguish specific areas of the body from surrounding tissues. The most commonly used agents are iodinated contrast dye for computed tomography (CT), interventional cath lab angiography,  RF fluoroscopy, and in surgical OR procedures. MRI scans typically use gadolinium-based contrast agents. Ultrasound and echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound) imaging use contrast agents composed of microscopic bubbles to enhance images that otherwise would be suboptimal.

RSS icon
Thumbnail

New GBCA uses 60% less gadolinium

Bayer’s latest contrast agent is proving its potential in clinical trials as a promising alternative to agents with higher gadolinium content. 

Thumbnail

GBCA doses can be reduced by over 50% for some MRI exams

In some cases, contrast doses can be reduced by as much as 62% without sacrificing diagnostic quality.

ACR updates requirements for on-site staff overseeing contrast administration

A clinician trained to manage reactions should be on-site at any imaging facilities doing contrast studies to maintain patient safety.

AI is still one of the key technologies on the floor many radiologists want to learn more about. of the AI. A product rep discussing breast automated detection AI in the crowded Lunit booth at RSNA 2022.

9 technology trends and takeaways from RSNA 2022

Here are some interesting new technologies and key trends from the vast expo floor at the Radiological Society of North America 2022 meeting.

New contrast agent receives FDA approval after competitors collaborate on development

The Sept. 21 announcement states that Gadopiclenol Injection—a highly stable macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent—is approved for use in adult and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older during MRI exams.

Arl Van Moore, MD, American College of Radiology (ACR) delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates, former ACR president, chairman of the ACR Board and former CEO of Strategic Radiology, discusses two radiology related policy decisions at the AMA 2022 meeting. These included a AMA policy on the iodine contrast shortage and AUC CDS. #AMA #AMA22 #AMAmtg #AMA175 #ACR

VIDEO: Radiology takeaways from the 2022 AMA meeting

Arl Van Moore, MD, American College of Radiology (ACR) delegate to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, former ACR president, chairman of the ACR Board and former CEO of Strategic Radiology, discusses radiology-related policy decisions at the AMA 2022 meeting.

An example of spectral cardiac CT being used to show iodine density in the myocardium to show perfusion deficits. Shown by Philips healthcare at ACC 2022.

VIDEO: Mitigating the contrast media shortage impact on CT imaging

Brian Ghoshhajra, MD, MBA, division chief, cardiovascular imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the impact of the iodine contrast shortage on computed tomography (CT) and cardiac imaging.
 

Contrast shortage update: GE expects supply to 'progressively recover' soon

Production at the facility in Shanghai is expected to be near 100% starting on June 6.

Displaying 1 - 8 of 19

Around the web

Health Imaging
American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

Health Imaging
AI reduces CT lung cancer screening workload by nearly 80%

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.

Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.