Perfluorocarbon Emulsion Contrast Agents: A Mini Review

Perfluorocarbon emulsions offer a variety of applications in medical imaging. The substances can be useful for most radiological imaging modalities; including, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. Recently, the substance has gained much interest for theranostics, with both imaging and therapeutic potential. As MRI sequences improve and more widespread access to F-19-MRI coils become available, perfluorocarbon emulsions have great potential for new commercial imaging agents, due to high fluorine content and previous regulatory approval as antihypoxants and blood substitutes. This mini review aims to discuss the chemistry and physics of these contrast agents, in addition to highlighting some of the past, recent, and potential applications.

Automated summary

Perfluorocarbon emulsions have various applications in medical imaging. They can be used in different radiological imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. Recently, they have gained interest for both imaging and therapeutic purposes. With improvements in MRI sequences and increased availability of F-19-MRI coils, perfluorocarbon emulsions have great potential as new commercial imaging agents. This review discusses the chemistry and physics of these contrast agents and highlights past, recent, and potential applications.