MRI Contrast Agent - Types - Oral Administration of Contrast Agents

Oral Administration of Contrast Agents

A wide variety of oral contrast agents can enhance images of the gastrointestinal tract. They include gadolinium and manganese chelates, or iron salts for T1 signal enhancement. SPIO, barium sulfate, air and clay have been used to lower T2 signal. Natural products with high manganese concentration such as blueberry and green tea can also be used for T1 increasing contrast enhancement.

Perflubron, a type of perfluorocarbon, has been used as a gastrointestinal MRI contrast agent for pediatric imaging. This contrast agent works by reducing the number of hydrogen ions in a body cavity, thus causing it to appear dark in the images.

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