Iodinated polymer nanoparticles as contrast agent for spectral photon counting computed tomography
Joëlle Balegamire, Marc Vandamme, E. Chereul, Salim Si‐Mohamed, Samira Azzouz Maache, Eyad Almouazen, Laurent Ettouati, Hatem Fessi, Loïc Boussel, Philippe Douek, Yves Chevalier
Abstract
by a centrifugation/redispersion step, which sets radiopacity of the contrast agent in the right range for imaging cardiovascular system and biodistribution. SPCCT 'Material Decomposition' and 'K-edge reconstruction' methods allow accurate quantification of iodine, as well as specific discrimination of iodine and gadolinium in mixed phantom samples. Intravenous injection of iodinated polymer nanoparticles to rats provides a clear visualization of the cardiovascular system over several hours followed by progressive accumulation in liver and spleen. This material is a 'blood pool' contrast agent with very long residence time in the blood stream.