Nanostructures and nanoparticles as medical diagnostic imaging contrast agents: A review

Abstract

Global health continues to be under threat evidenced by the recent surge of Covid-19 that crippled the world's biosecurity. Prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases are crucial in maintaining global health. Nanostructures and nanoparticles merited by a plethora of outstanding properties are cementing themselves in nanomedicine. The account examines their possible application in imaging diagnostics using the different modalities: magnetic resonance, optical imaging, ultrasonic molecular imaging, photoacoustic imaging, X-ray computed tomography and nuclear molecular imaging. The nanostructures are proposed as the next-generation contrast agents for enhanced imaging purposes. Hence, their stability, body clearance, biocompatibility and blood half-life are highlighted in this review. The next generation of proposed nanostructure-based contrast agents is not devoid of challenges. Multimodal imaging and engineered nanostructure composites are proposed mitigations in pursuit of biocompatible, blood pools, and enhanced imaging contrast agents with reasonable body clearance.