(PSSE) Partial saturation sequence in which the signal is detected as a spin echo. Even though a spin echo is used, there will not necessarily be a significant contribution of the T2 relaxation time to image contrast, unless the echo time, TE, is on the order of or longer than T2.

Longitudinal relaxation rate equal to reciprocal of T2 relaxation time (R2 = 1/T2).

Reciprocals of the relaxation times, T1 and T2 (R1 = 1/T1 and R2 = 1/T2). There is often a linear relation between the concentration of MR contrast agents and the resulting change in relaxation rate. The rate of relaxation is influenced by molecules with protons that are tumbling. A slower tumble rate will result in faster relaxation rate (shorter relaxation time). Due to the molecular structure of fat with its larger size than water, fat will tumble slower than water molecules. The slower tumble rate of fat enables a faster relaxation rate.

Resovist® is an organ-specific MRI contrast agent, used for the detection and characterization of especially small focal liver lesions.
Resovist® consists of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles coated with carboxydextran, which are accumulated by phagocytosis in cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) of the liver. The uptake of Resovist® Injection in the reticuloendothelial cells results in a decrease of the signal intensity of normal liver parenchyma on both T2- and T1 weighted images.
Most malignant liver tumors do not contain RES cells and therefore do not uptake the iron particles. The resulting imaging effect is an improved contrast between the tumor (bright) and the surrounding tissue (dark).
Resovist® can be injected as an intravenous bolus, which allows immediate imaging of the liver and reduces the overall examination time. A dynamic imaging strategy after bolus injection supports to characterize lesions. In comprehensive clinical trials, it demonstrated an excellent safety profile.
In 2001, Resovist® was approved for the European market.

See also Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide.

Resovist® competed with Primovist™, the other liver imaging agent of Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Due to this reason, the production of Resovist® has been abandoned in 2009.

Sinerem® is the brand name (same as Combidex®) for an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) to detect metastatic disease in lymph nodes. Metastatic nodes show less uptake of this MRI contrast agent, which results in less signal decrease and allows the differentiation of normal lymph nodes from normal-sized, metastatic nodes.
Lymph node imaging with Sinerem® is performed 24 to 36 hours after slow infusion. Normal lymph nodes turn black post contrast, namely on T2* weighted images. Metastatic lymph nodes remain unchanged in signal intensity.
Indication and Diseases: Cancer, Imaging for diagnosis, Lymphatic disorders.
See Ferumoxtran, and Classifications, Characteristics, etc.

Guerbet decided in 2007 to withdraw its Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for Sinerem.