Review: Application Trends of Contrast Media in PET/MRI

Abstract

Research on medical imaging contrast agents to improve diagnostic performance and optimize treatment strategies has been ongoing for a long time. Recently, hybrid imaging technology in which two different devices such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and PET/MRI are fused is emerging as a new trend in medical imaging. The high spatial resolution of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and the high-sensitivity molecular-level information of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) by these convergence devices are leading to the development of new hybrid imaging technologies along with hybrid contrast agents. To create a hybrid contrast agent for simultaneous PET-MRI devices, the radiotracer for PET should be combined with the MRI contrast agent. The most common approach to achieve this is to coat radioisotopes to the surface of small superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles. These contrast agents are used for pH change monitoring, non-invasive angiography, and early imaging diagnosis of atherosclerosis. In addition, tumor detection and cardiovascular imaging are becoming important research areas for the development of simultaneous PET/MRI imaging systems and hybrid contrast agents. Therefore, tumor detection and cardiovascular imaging are major areas for development of simultaneous PET/MRI imaging systems and hybrid contrast agents. The goal of developing hybrid contrast agents for this purpose is to combine high spatial resolution, high sensitivity, and morphological and functional information. The future prospect is considered to be the development of a multimodal hybrid contrast agent that detects diseases early, provides information before and after surgery for treatment, and provides treatment prognosis.