Three-dimensional MR imaging of pulmonary vessels and parenchyma with NC100150 injection (Clariscan™)

The influence of increasing doses of NC100150 Injection (Clariscan™) and echo times on visualization of pulmonary vessels and parenchyma was evaluated. The effects of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg Fe/kg NC100150 Injection and echo times (TE) of 1.1, 1.8, 2.2, and 4.3 msec were determined in six dogs using breath‐hold three‐dimensional (3D) spoiled gradient‐echo magnetic resonance (MR) sequence. At 2 mg Fe/kg and TE of 1.1 msec, the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the central pulmonary arteries and parenchyma was significantly increased (5.3 ± 2.2 to 50.3 ± 2.4) and (2.2 ± 0.9 to 6.4 ± 1.1), respectively. Using the TE of 1.1 msec, signal intensity in the main arteries continued to increase with increasing dose. Moreover, the enhancement of pulmonary parenchyma and microvasculature had a positive dose response. 3D MR imaging with ultrashort echo time and 2 mg Fe/kg NC100150 Injection produces angiograms with strong vascular contrast and allows qualitative assessment of pulmonary parenchyma and microvasculature. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;11:622–628. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.