Basic principles and classification of contrast agents


Exogenous contrast agents include artificial substances, usually administered intravenously, to modify the signal of the vessels and organs.
These agents are considered as drug and are subject to the same development and prescription requirements (FDA).

 

Basic principles of T1 and T2 modification

MRI contrast agents are not directly visible. The modification in contrast is due to their effect of shortening the relaxation time T1 and/or T2 of the hydrogen nuclei located in their vicinity.
If the contrast agent reduces time T1 (paramagnetic contrast agents), we observe a T1 hypersignal. On the other hand, if it shortens T2 (superparamagnetic contrast agents), there will be a reduction in the T2 and T2* signal.
The effectiveness of the contrast agent depends on its relaxivity (i.e. its capacity to modify relaxation times).

 

Classification

Two main classes of contrast agent can be distinguished:

  • the Gadolinium chelates, that are paramagnetic, and whose principle effect is enhancement in T1-weighted sequences
  • superparamagnetic ferrite particles (SPIO and USPIO), used for their effect in T2 / T2* weighting (signal drop).

Within each of these classes, certain contrast agents may be organ-specific (liver, ganglion, vascular remanence).