A study on the imaging characteristics of Gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent in X-ray computed tomography

Abstract

Aim: In the current study, some imaging characteristics of AuNPs were quantitatively analyzed and compared with two conventional contrast media (CM) including Iodine and Gadolinium by using of a cylindrical phantom. Methods: AuNPs were synthesized with the mean diameter of 16 nm and were equalized to the concentration of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/mL in the same volumes. A cylindrical phantom resembling the head and neck was fabricated and drilled to contain small tubes filled with Iodine, Gadolinium, and AuNPs as contrast media. The phantom was scanned in different exposure techniques and CT numbers of three studied contrast media inside test tubes were measured in terms of Hounsfield Unit (HU). The imaging parameters of the noise and contrast to noise ratios (CNR) were calculated for all studied CMs. Results: AuNPs showed 128% and 166% higher CT number in comparison with Iodine and Gadolinium respectively. Also, Iodine had a greater CT number than Gadolinium for the same exposure techniques and concentration. The maximum CT number for AuNPs and studied contrast materials was obtained at the highest mAs and the lowest tube potential. The maximum CT number were 1033±11 (HU) for AuNP, 565±10 (HU) for Iodine, 458±11 for Gadolinium. Moreover, the maximum CNRs of 433±117, 203±53, 145±37 were found for AuNPs, Iodine and Gadolinium respectively. Conclusion: The contrast agent based on AuNPs showed higher imaging quality in terms of contrast and noise relative to other iodine and gadolinium based contrast media in X-ray computed tomography. Application of the AuNPs as a contrast medium in x-ray CT is recommended.

Rosuvastatin-Eluting Gold Nanoparticle-Loaded Perivascular Implantable Wrap for Enhanced Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation in a Murine Model

“…We, then, found that the incorporation of AuNPs significantly increased wrap radiopacity on in vivo mCT at all time points, which supports the hypothesis that AuNP-loading confers greater radiographic visibility. Early radiodensity values of the PCL-Au (1,232 ± 75 HU) and PCL-Au-ROSU (1,182 ± 203 HU) wraps are concordant with previous analyses of AuNP radiodensities exceeding 1,000 HU (22,23). Wraps with AuNPs were not only more visible but also demonstrated linear decreases in both in vitro AuNP release and in vivo radiopacity from W1 to W4.…”

UV-Accelerated Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticle–Pluronic Nanocomposites for X-ray Computed Tomography Contrast Enhancement

“…Gadolinium is an alternative, although it provides lower contrast at comparable doses [60]. Recently, AuNPs were tested for this task and showed even better attenuation ability than iodine allied to longer circulation time, which enables for more accurate observation of vessels and tissues [61]. Furthermore, they can be designed with biocompatible and non-toxic surface coatings, which mitigate eventual side effects during administration [62].…”