Polymeric gastrointestinal MR contrast agents

Combining either paramagnetic (gadolinium chelatea) or superparamagnetic (ferrite) contrast agents with polymers such as polyethylene glycol or cellulose, or with simple sugars such as dextrose, results in mixtures that exhibit improved T1 and/or T2 relaxivity compared with that of the contrast agent alone. It is suggested that the addition of such inexpensive and nontoxic polymers or saccharides may improve the effectiveness and decrease the cost of enteric contrast agents. Copyright © 1991 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company