Gadolinium-based imaging contrast agents

Abstract

The contrast agents have been developed to enhance and improve the quality of images in radiology practice in order to define the physiology and pathophysiology in various tissues, to detect and define neoplastic, inflammatory and functional abnormalities. Most contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging approved for human applications are gadolinium-based. Paramagnetic chelates containing lanthanide ion, gadolinium (III), are generally used as contrast agents (CAs) for diagnostic imaging. The gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are mostly approved by the FDA for an intravenous (IV) administration in radiology imaging as they can provide greater contrast between normal and abnormal tissues within the body. The aim of this review is to underline the chemistry and usage of nine GBCAs which are currently approved for the use in the Western countries and to point out some novel GBCAs for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). © 2014 Bentham Science Publishers.