Robert N. Muller – författare

The use 0\ contrast media within diagnostic radiology has been firmly established for many years now. Radiologic contrast media render immense services in daily clinical practice to innumerable patients all over the world. When the new cross­ sectional modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance ima­ ging were introduced into clinical practice it rapidly became evident that the judi­ cious use of contrast media allows the optimal exploitation of the great diagnostic potential of these revolutionary methods. More recently, efforts to create specific contrast media for ultrasound imaging have been successful, and the first benefi­ cial results of their application in daily practice are now evident. The aim of this book is to bring together the results of the tremendous research that has been performed during recent years in order to develop specific contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography and also to develop safer contrast media for the classical radiologic techniques as well as computed tomography. Moreover, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the indica­ tions for and applications of these new contrast media in clinical radiology. Finally, risks, side-effects, and complications which may occur with the use of these drugs are covered appropriately. The three editors are leading and well-known experts in their specific field. They have been very successful in ensuring the collaboration of so many intern~tionally known specialists to cover the different topics dealt with in this book.

The use 0\ contrast media within diagnostic radiology has been firmly established for many years now. Radiologic contrast media render immense services in daily clinical practice to innumerable patients all over the world. When the new cross­ sectional modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance ima­ ging were introduced into clinical practice it rapidly became evident that the judi­ cious use of contrast media allows the optimal exploitation of the great diagnostic potential of these revolutionary methods. More recently, efforts to create specific contrast media for ultrasound imaging have been successful, and the first benefi­ cial results of their application in daily practice are now evident. The aim of this book is to bring together the results of the tremendous research that has been performed during recent years in order to develop specific contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography and also to develop safer contrast media for the classical radiologic techniques as well as computed tomography. Moreover, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the indica­ tions for and applications of these new contrast media in clinical radiology. Finally, risks, side-effects, and complications which may occur with the use of these drugs are covered appropriately. The three editors are leading and well-known experts in their specific field. They have been very successful in ensuring the collaboration of so many intern~tionally known specialists to cover the different topics dealt with in this book.

This book describes the multiple aspects of (i) preparation of the magnetic core, (ii) the stabilization with different coatings, (iii) the physico-chemical characterization and (iv) the vectorization to obtain specific nanosystems. Several bio-applications are also presented in this book. In the early days of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), paramagnetic ions were proposed as contrast agents to enhance the diagnostic quality of MR images. Since then, academic and industrial efforts have been devoted to the development of new and more efficient molecular, supramolecular and nanoparticular systems. Old concepts and theories, like paramagnetic relaxation, were revisited and exploited, leading to new scientific tracks. With their high relaxivity payload, the superparamagnetic nanoparticles are very appealing in the context of molecular imaging but challenges are still numerous: absence of toxicity, specificity, ability to cross the biological barriers, etc.