# Exploring the Potential of a Novel Iodine-Based Material as an Alternative Contrast Agent in X-ray Imaging Studies

## TL;DR

This study explores a new iodine-based material as a safe and effective alternative to traditional contrast agents in X-ray imaging.

## Contribution

A novel iodine-based contrast agent is proposed for use in physical phantoms in X-ray imaging.

## Key findings

- Simulation and experimental results showed similar X-ray absorption between the new material and Omnipaque®.
- The new material demonstrated less than 2% deviation in image gray values compared to Omnipaque® at higher kVp settings.
- The proposed contrast agent is safe, easy to synthesize, and suitable for experimental imaging work.

## Abstract

Background: Contrast-enhanced mammography is one of the new emerging imaging techniques used for detecting breast tissue lesions. Optimization of imaging protocols and reconstruction techniques for this modality, however, requires the involvement of physical phantoms. Their development is related to the use of radiocontrast agents. This study assesses the X-ray properties of a novel contrast material in clinical settings. This material is intended for experimental use with physical phantoms, offering an alternative to commonly available radiocontrast agents. Materials and Methods: The water-soluble sodium salt of the newly synthesized diiodine-substituted natural eudesmic acid, Sodium 2,6-DiIodo-3,4,5-TriMethoxyBenzoate [NaDITMB], has been investigated with respect to one of the most commonly applied radiocontrast medium in medical practice—Omnipaque®. For this purpose, simulation and experimental studies were carried out with a computational phantom and a physical counterpart, respectively. Synthetic and experimental X-ray images were subsequently produced under varying beam kilovoltage peaks (kVps), and the proposed contrast material was evaluated. Results and Discussion: Simulation results revealed equivalent absorptions between the two simulated radiocontrast agents. Experimental findings supported these simulations, showing a maximum deviation of 3.7% between the image gray values of contrast materials for NaDITMB and Omnipaque solutions for a 46 kVp X-ray beam. Higher kVp X-ray beams show even smaller deviations in the mean grey values of the imaged contrast agents, with the NaDITMB solution demonstrating less than a 2% deviation compared to Omnipaque. Conclusion: The proposed contrast agent is a suitable candidate for use in experimental work related to contrast-enhanced imaging by utilizing phantoms. It boasts the advantages of easy synthesis and is recognized for its safety, ensuring a secure environment for both the experimenter and the environment.