X-ray-Computed Tomography Contrast Agents

X-ray-computed tomography (CT) is a well-established tissue imaging technique employed in a variety of research and clinical settings. Specifically, CT is a noninvasive clinical diagnostic tool that allows for 3D visual reconstruction and segmentation of tissues of interest. A series of attenuation profiles or projections is thus obtained. The projections are then processed mathematically to create a 3D rendition of the scanned object. An in-depth description of the engineering principles underlying modern CT imaging instruments is beyond the scope of this manuscript, and the reader is referred to other published works. A diagnostic imaging method related to CT is X-ray fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy allows for acquisition of real-time, continuous images of the internal organs. Like in CT, imaging agents are often used in fluoroscopy for better contrast resolution.