Abstract: The invention discloses the use of ionic and non-ionic radiographic contrast agents for combined X-ray and nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI) diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of contrast agents for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI), to identify and locate primary human tumours and their metastases which over-express type CCK A and/or type B cholecystokinin receptors, and/or type SSTR 1-5 somatostatin receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging of a substrate molecule different from water wherein the NMR signal is enhanced by a reversible binding of the substrate molecule to a paramagnetic chelate complex, as well as to the use of a paramagnetic chelate complex in said method and the pharmaceutical composition for use therein.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (I): in which: R1 is hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C4-C20 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or two R1, taken together, form a straight or cyclic C2-C10 alkylene group or an ortho disubstituted arylene; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C4-C20 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or aryl alkyl optionally substituted with functional groups which allow conjugation with a suitable molecule able to interact with physiological systems; R3, R4 and R5 are hydrogen, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C4-C20 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl; and their chelates with bi-trivalent ions of the metal elements having atomic number ranging between 20 and 31, 39, 42, 43, 44, 49, and between 57 and 83, and radioisotopes chosen among 203Pb 67Ga 68Ga 72As 111In 113In 90Y 97Ru 62Cu 64Cu 52Fe 52mMn 140La 175Yb 153Sm 166Ho 149Pm 177Lu 142Pr 159Gd 212Bi 47Sc 149Pm 67Cu, 111Ag, 199Au, 161Tb and 51Cr as well as the salts thereof with physiologically compatible bases or acids.

Abstract: Diagnostic compositions particularly useful for NMR imaging of the gastrointestinal tract, comprise physiologically acceptable aqueous suspensions of insoluble salts of lanthanides, buffered, if required, at a pH value between 6.0 and 8.5 and which are, if required, formulated with appropriate insoluble organic or inorganic additives and/or with dispersing agents, suspending agents or viscosity-enhancing agents. These compositions are capable of increasing the value of the r.sub.2 /r.sub.1 ratio, in which r.sub.1 and r.sub.2 are the longitudinal and transversal relaxivities of the protons of the surrounding water, thus permittting the production of clear images which have negative contrast and which lack artefacts of metallic type.