Ionic and Non-Ionic Radiographic Contrast Agents for Use in Combined X-ray and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Diagnostics

A method of obtaining in vivo or in vitro, ex vivo, images comprising the steps of:

• (a) administering a diagnostic formulation comprising one or more iodinated contrast agents having mobile protons able to exchange with bulk water to an individual or to an organ or other body region or tissue of the individual,
• (b) imaging, with magnetization transfer based MRI techniques the said organ, body region, fluid or tissue of the individual to form an image, and
• (c) recording contrasted images,
• wherein said iodinated contrast agents comprise at least one amido function and are iodinated aromatic compounds having a triiodinated aromatic ring bearing at the remaining positions straight or branched, functionally substituted organic residues or compounds comprising at least two triiodinated aromatic residues mutually covalently linked at one of the positions, either directly or through a straight or branched, functionally substituted organic residue, said aromatic ring being further substituted at the remaining positions by straight or branched, functionally substituted organic residues and in which the organic residues and the triiodinated aromatic ring are linked by amido functions.