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Iron oxide contrast agents (SPIO, USPIO)

There are two types of contrast agent based on superparamagnetic iron oxides: SPIO (Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide) for liver tropism and USPIO (Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide) for ganglion tropism.
These particles have a predominant T2 effect (magnetic susceptibility) and produce a drop in signal namely in T2* weighting. This hyposignal is found in areas of normal tissue (reticuloendothelial system), which takes up the iron oxide particles, as opposed to zones with metastatic invasion (figure 7.9).

Brand names

• Endorem® / Feridex® (AMI-25)
• Resovist® / Cliavist® (SH U 555A)
• Sinerem® / Combidex® (AMI-227)