Synthesis and characterization of radiopaque magnetic core-shell nanoparticles for X-ray imaging applications.

Radiopaque magnetic gamma-Fe(2)O(3)/poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl(2,3,5-triiodobenzoate)) core-shell nanoparticles of narrow size distribution were prepared by emulsion polymerization of the iodinated monomer 2-methacryloyloxyethyl(2,3,5-triiodobenzoate) in the presence of maghemite (gamma-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles coated with a dextran shell are commonly used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The present nanoparticles have similar core-shell structure substituting the dextran for the iodo polymer. These core-shell nanoparticles may therefore be useful as imaging contrast agents to detect various pathogenic zones and to observe different disease states in both modes: X-ray and MRI.