Open AccessMicrobubbles containing gadolinium as contrast agents for both phase contrast and magnetic resonance imaging
Author(s) -
Tang Rongbiao,
Yan Fuhua,
Yang Guo-Yuan,
Chen Ke-Min
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s1600577517017404
Subject(s) - gadolinium , contrast (vision) , microbubbles , magnetic resonance imaging , phase contrast microscopy , nuclear magnetic resonance , phase contrast imaging , phase (matter) , contrast effect , materials science , chemistry , medicine , radiology , ultrasound , physics , optics , metallurgy , organic chemistry
Portal vein imaging is an important method for investigating portal venous disorders. However, the diagnostic requirements are not usually satisfied when using single imaging techniques. Diagnostic accuracy can be improved by combining different imaging techniques. Contrast agents that can be used for combined imaging modalities are needed. In this study, the feasibility of using microbubbles containing gadolinium (MCG) as contrast agents for both phase contrast imaging (PCI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are investigated. MCG were made by encapsulating sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) gas with gadolinium and lyophilized powder. Absorption contrast imaging (ACI) and PCI of MCG were performed and compared in vitro . MCG were injected into the main portal trunk of living rats. PCI and MRI were performed at 2 min and 10 min after MCG injection, respectively. PCI exploited the differences in the refractive index and visibly showed the MCG, which were not detectable by ACI. PCI could facilitate clear revelation of the MCG‐infused portal veins. The diameter of the portal veins could be determined by the largest MCG in the same portal vein. The minimum diameter of clearly detected portal veins was about 300 µm by MRI. These results indicate that MCG could enhance both PCI and MRI for imaging portal veins. The detection sensitivity of PCI and MRI could compensate for each other when using MCG contrast agents for animals.