Manganese chloride (MnCl2) is used as an oral contrast agent (LumenHance®) for MRI of the abdomen and/or pelvis. MnCl2 has also been used in magnetic resonance imaging of animals to maximize the contrast of different tissues e.g. in mice and crayfish with different injection methods. Caused by the hepatic uptake, manganese chloride has potential as a hepatobiliary contrast agent.
Manganese chloride is produced by the reaction of hydrochloric acid with manganese oxide or manganese carbonate. In an aqueous solution, manganese chloride can serve as phantom fluid, used for e.g. the daily quality assurance.

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Oral administration of this liposomal encapsulated manganese chloride results in a reduction of the T1 relaxation time causing enhanced signal on T1 weighted MR images. Bracco received marketing approval in December 1997 in the United States, but marketing state is still uncertain.

See also Classifications, Characteristics, etc.