Magnetic Nanomaterials as MRI Contrast Agents

Abstract

The sections in this article are Introduction Classification of Magnetic Nanomaterials Used for MRI Applications Magnetic Oxide-Based Nanoparticles Magnetic Metal- and Alloy-Based Nanoparticles as Contrast Agents Rare Earth Metal-Loaded Nanoparticulate Contrast Agents Coating and Surface Functionalization of Magnetic Nanoparticles Surface Modification with Monomeric Stabilizers Modification Using Polymeric Stabilizers Modification Using Inorganic Coatings Vectorization of Magnetic Nanomaterials for Targeted Imaging Properties and Characterization of Magnetic Nanoparticle Suspensions Characterizing the Suspensions Nanoparticle Size: Transmission Electron Microscopy Magnetic Properties: Magnetometry Hydrodynamic Size: Photon Correlation Spectroscopy Magnetic Resonance Properties: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Dispersion NMR Relaxation in the Presence of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles SPM Theory Applied to Suspensions of Nanoparticle Clusters General Application of Relaxation Time Measurements Application of Magnetic Nanomaterials in MRI Current Clinical Applications Gastrointestinal Tract and Bowel Imaging Liver and Spleen Imaging Lymph Node Imaging Bone Marrow Imaging Brain Imaging Blood Pool Imaging and MR Angiography Atherosclerosis Imaging Potential Clinical Applications Cellular Labeling and Tracking Molecular Imaging Summary and Future Outlook Improved Imaging Methods Improved Imaging Hardware Improved Contrast Agents Keywords: magnetic nanoparticles; magnetic resonance imaging; iron oxide nanoparticles; USPIO; clinical applications; molecular imaging; cellular labeling