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.

I Iodinated Contrast Media

1 History of Iodinated Contrast Media
2 Design of X-ray Contrast Agents
3 Biological Variation, Reproducibility, and Predictability of Experimental Research in Animals
4 Experimental Testing of Iodinated Contrast Media Before Human Testing
5 Phase I, II, III, and IV Studies: Good Clinical Practice
6 Currently Available Iodinated Contrast Media
7 Clinical Doses of Contrast Media
8 Determination of Glomerular Filtration Rate with Contrast Media
9 Neurotoxicity
10 Nephrotoxicity
11 Adverse Reactions to Iodinated Radiographic Contrast Media
12 Treatment of Adverse Reactions
13 Hepatic Agents
14 Lymphatic Agents
II Magnetic Resonance Contrast Media
15 Chemical Synthesis of Paramagnetic Complexes
16 Preparation and Structure-Activity Relationships of Particulate Magnetic Agents
17 Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents of Increased Specificity
18 Central Nervous System
19 Liver and Pancreas
20 Heart
21 Kidneys and Adrenal Glands
22 The Musculoskeletal System
23 Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography
24 Dynamic Contrast-Enchanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Image Processing
III Ultrasound Contrast Media
25 Ultrasound Contrast Media: Past, Present, and Future
26 Interaction of Ultrasound and Contrast Agents
27 Contrast-Specific Instrumentation and Its Potential Applications
28 Bubble Destruction
29 Potential for Quantification
30 The Vascular Space
31 Tumor Imaging with Ultrasound Contrast
32 Tissue Perfusion and Enhancement on Gray-scale
33 Cardiac Applications
34 Targeting and Delivery of Drugs with Ultrasound Contrast Agents
35 Can the Presence of Contrast Media Promote Ultrasound Bioeffects?
IV Radiopharmaceuticals (Nuclear Medicine)
36 Imaging Techniques and Existing Agents
37 New and Future Trends in Radiopharmaceuticals
List of Contributors.