MRI Contrast Agent-Based Multifunctional Materials: Diagnosis and Therapy

Table 1

Properties and characteristics of various imaging techniques.

Modality	Probe	Spatial resolution	Advantages	Limit
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)	Paramagnetic metals (e.g., Gd and Mn) superparamagnetic metals (e.g., iron oxide)	25–100 μm	High resolution no radiation; physiological and anatomical details	In patient with limit (metallic devices); High cost
Optical imaging	Fluorescent dyes, quantum dots	2–5 mm	High sensitivity functional information; no radiation	Low resolution; low tissue penetration
Computed tomography (CT)	Gold, iodine	50–200 μm	High spatial resolution. differentiate between tissues.	Requires contrast agent Radiation tissue nonspecificity
Gamma scintigraphy (PET and SPECT)	Radionuclides (F-18, In-111, Cu-64)	1-2 mm	Monitoring biochemical processes	Radiation; low resolution high cost