Contrast medium
The administration of a contrast medium during the performance of an open MRI can create an artificial density difference between different structures. A contrast agent is always necessary when very similar body tissues, such as muscles and blood vessels, are to be separated from each other. Even in open MRI, a distinction must be made between two types of contrast media: contrast media containing iodine and barium sulfate.
A contrast medium used to perform an examination in open MRI, which contains an iodine component, is mainly used to provide sharper contrast to the kidneys, vessels and internal organs. A contrast medium containing barium sulfate, on the other hand, is particularly suitable for sharper imaging of the gastrointestinal tract.
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