DE102006042729A1 - X-ray image producing method for tumor therapeutic or diagnostic procedure, involves applying x-ray absorbing nanoparticles i.e. ferric oxide nanoparticle, as contrast medium, where nanoparticles exhibit longer resting period in tissue - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves applying x-ray radiation absorbing nanoparticles i.e. ferric oxide nanoparticle, as a contrast medium, where the nanoparticles exhibit a longer resting period in a tumor tissue. The nanoparticles are doped with a substance i.e. sugar, which enriches increase in areas of higher metabolic activities. The nanoparticles are injected in proximity to tumors in bloodstream of a patient. The nanoparticles are arrived to an active tumor area over an arterial system.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for generating an X-ray image, in which a contrast agent is applied.

at Computer tomographic examinations are used for tissue differentiation in soft tissues and in particular for better recognition of used with a tumor-infested tissue contrast agent. The known contrast agents are degraded relatively quickly and rinsed out of the organism. At later X-rays, so-called native scans without contrast media, is then one Tissue differentiation often no longer or at most only difficult possible. Especially in fluoroscopy-assisted therapy of tumors using computed tomography this poses a significant problem dar. A currently common Workflow, such as Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) of a liver tumor, usually begins with a means of a previously applied contrast media supported recording of a series of x-rays to identify the tumor. Subsequently, electrodes (needles) placed in tumor tissue, stimulated with radiofrequency and tumor tissue is thermally destroyed. In an X-ray examination performed after renewed application of a contrast agent The ablated tumor is examined for control to the area to identify the necrosis.

During the with x-rays supported However, therapeutic intervention is tissue differentiation and the recognizability of the lesion (the tumor) difficult. The original for the identification of the Because of its liquid consistency, tumor-applied contrast media does not remain back in the tumor, but flows fast, so stands for the check-up is no longer available. Although it would be possible in principle, again Applying contrast agents, however, this is time consuming and would be too an elevated one Radiation exposure of the patient and the practitioner lead because always waited and with x-rays It must be checked whether or until the contrast agent in the to be treated Area (Volume of Interest, VOI) is flooded. Furthermore is the use of contrast agents to a certain amount of contrast agent limited to avoid kidney or thyroid damage to the patient. Nevertheless, an exact placement of the needles in the lesion too enable, As a rule, the physician is the former X-ray image recorded with the aid of the contrast agent provided on a second screen in the examination room.

Problematic here is that the x-ray image taken with a contrast agent from the preliminary examination and the actual location of the tumor in the X-ray photograph without contrast medium (native scan) can be different from each other. This occurs frequently one through the movements of the diaphragm, the heart or through puncture in an organ, in the example a liver, with an electrode. So the doctor can only because of the contrast agent image and intuitively try the native image, the optimal location for the needle placement to be found in native scan. This is especially true of untrained therapists a latent security risk for the patient.

Of the the attending physician has thus in the implementation of the therapeutic measure, even if these by x-rays is supported, only an unsatisfactory orientation to the needles exactly within to place the tumor.

Of the The invention is based on the object, a method for generating an x-ray picture specify that avoids the problems mentioned above.

The said object is according to the invention solved with a method having the features of claim 1. Da as a contrast agent X-ray absorbing Nanoparticles are applied, which allows a longer residence time in tumor tissue it is possible to while the entire duration of therapy X-ray images with a high Contrast and thus significantly improved tissue differentiation too produce.

When X-ray absorptive Nanoparticles come into question with nanoparticles containing atoms high atomic number, and thus an ideal High contrast in the soft tissue represent. These can be especially useful one with x-rays (Fluroskopie-) supported Intervention of tumors can be successfully used, as with a Such contrast agents are always given sufficient soft tissue differentiation is.

The Nanoparticles, in particular so-called ferritic nanoparticles, which are iron oxide particles in the size of 10 to 15 nm, are preferably with a substance, in particular a sugar, masked or doped, which are in areas of high metabolic activity, that is especially tumor cells, increased accumulate.

The nanoparticles doped with such a substance, preferably a sugar, are injected in the vicinity of the tumor into the bloodstream of the patient and pass through the arterial system to the active tumor regions. There, the sugar is metabolized by the tumor cells. The released nanoparticles diffuse into the cell membranes of the tumor cells, accumulate there and linger there until destroyed by the therapy disturbed, neurotic tumor tissue is rejected by the body. Such ferritic nanoparticles have already been used, for example, in tumor therapy at the Charité in Berlin (http://www.wdr.de/tv/qv/q21/110.0.phtml).

The Invention is for use in all therapeutic or diagnostic procedures suitable in which probes or biopsy needles pinpoint under Imaging must be placed.

Claims (4)

Method for generating an X-ray image, in the X-ray absorbing as contrast agent Nanoparticles are applied. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles are doped with a substance that accumulates in areas of high metabolic activity increased. The method of claim 2, wherein the nanoparticles doped with a sugar. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ferritic Nanoparticles are provided.