Nanoparticles in medical imaging

Abstract Molecular imaging has emerged as one of the major areas of research in medical diagnostics by facilitating timely diagnosis and identification of disease progression and providing relevant insights into pathological processes. Imaging modalities often used by clinicians for 3D cancer staging include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography. Nanoparticulate probes have shown remarkable improvements in medical detection and imaging over single molecule-based contrast agents. Owing to their small size and prolonged circulation time due to lymphatic drainage, nanoparticles display better enhanced permeability and retention effects in solid tumors as well as contrast agents, presenting outstanding contrast. The present chapter will provide insights about applications and limits of nanoparticle-based contrast agents, their advantages, structure, and composition of nanoparticles for biomedical imaging fabricated by surface modification or by using core/shell structures with the examples discussed for each category.