ABDOMINAL MRI USING A NEGATIVE CONTRAST AGENT

A dose of 0.5 g of a negative oral contrast agent for labelling the bo wel, was given to 40 patients in a clinical trial. Oral magnetic parti cles (OMP) consist of crystals of iron oxide with superparamagnetic pr operties, and are administered in 800 ml of a viscous suspension in or der to obtain a uniform distribution. The aim of the study was to iden tify any adverse effects up to 1 week following ingestion, as well as the contrast distribution and effect, together with the induction of a rtifacts. A comparison of diagnostic value of the pre and postcontrast ingestion series was also performed. Vomiting followed ingestion in a single patient already nauseated and was the only adverse effect. Goo d contrast distribution and effect with no artifacts were present. The diagnostic information was greatly improved after OMP ingestion, and the diagnosis would not have been possible without the use of the cont rast agent in 41% of the examinations.