Table 1. Summary of some types of nanoparticles available for liver imaging.
| Nanoparticles | Size | Properties | Application | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPION | > 50 nm | - High transverse relaxation - Rapid detection of some pathogens |
Liver and spleen imaging at MRI, hyperthermia, cell labeling | Negative contrast agent |
| USPIO | < 50 nm | - Short T2 time - Less uptake in liver than SPIO |
MRI of liver | Positive contrast agent |
| SPIO+ QD(Ag2S) | - Noninvasive - Great luminescence - Good response to magnetic field - Correct diagnosis and anatomical information - SPIO is effective probe as contrast agent |
Molecular imaging | Mixed procedures | |
| IONPs | 10–30 nm | Large size = high r2 = effective agent | MRI of liver | There are 4 type and SHP-30 is good contrast agent |
| AuNPs | Smaller or larger than 25 nm (almost 99 nm) | - Unique optical and electronic property - Effective device - Cost-effective - Greater contrast agent for imaging |
For diagnosis of different cancers, liver imaging with micro-CT, CT imaging, spectroscopy | Negative contrast agent |
| Iodinated-based (exiA-160) | 55–100 nm | - Common accessible - Low energy of k-edge - Not good formulation |
Micro CT imaging | - |
| Non-iodinated (alkaline earth, ExiTron-6000, ExiTron-12000) |
- | - Low clearance - Long-term contrast - Biocompatible |
Micro CT imaging | ExiTron-12000 is the highest contrast enhancement |
SPION: superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle; USPIO: ultra small superparamagnetic iron oxide; QD: quantum dots; IONs: iron oxide nanoparticles; AuNPs: gold nanoparticles; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; CT: computed tomography.