Oral superparamagnetic particles for magnetic resonance imaging. Effect in plain and viscous aqueous suspensions.

As a potential gastrointestinal MR contrast medium magnetic particles have been evaluated in preclinical studies as well as in healthy volunteers. The main problem was to achieve an even distribution of the aqueous suspension of magnetic particles in the entire intestine. To improve the distribution of the contrast medium, a viscosity-increasing agent was added to the preparation. In the plain aqueous suspension the magnetic particles sedimented rapidly and caused artifacts, whereas no such sedimentation occurred in the viscous preparation. The contrast effect, as well as the presence of artifacts, increased with particle concentration. The general contrast effect was good in all 5 volunteers, and the contrast medium was well distributed in the small intestine, including the duodenum. There were no artifacts observed, and the contrast medium was well tolerated. The viscosity-increasing agent will thus be introduced in further clinical studies.