ferristene

Ferristene, marketed under the brand name Abdoscan, is a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) contrast agent developed for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the gastrointestinal tract. It consists of magnetite nanoparticles (iron oxide) coated with a polymer, typically administered orally or rectally as a suspension. As a negative contrast agent, ferristene works by significantly shortening the T2 and T2* relaxation times of water protons in the bowel lumen, causing the lumen to appear dark on T2-weighted images. This effect enhances the visualization of the bowel wall and facilitates the preoperative staging of conditions such as rectal cancer by providing a clear demarcation between the lumen and tumor tissue. Originally developed by Nycomed (now GE Healthcare), the product is currently discontinued in most markets.

Brand names

Abdoscan

Other names

Superparamagnetic iron oxideSPIOFerristene