Gastrointestinal MRI Contrast Agents

Acceptance of the us of MR in abdominal imaging has been limited in part by difficulty in distinguishing bowel from intraabdominal masses and normal organs. The use of enteric contrast agents can in this problem. There is currently one agent that has FDA approval for this use, a perfluorochemical (see below). Barium and solutions of ferric ammonium citrate (Geritol) have been used but are not specifically approved for this use. GI contrast agents can be divided into positive agents (appearing bright on MRI) or negative agents (appearing dark on MRI).