Estudo comparativo entre meio de contraste e radiofármaco na obtenção de imagens diagnósticas: uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

Introduction: Imaging methods in radiology play an important role in the early diagnosis of diseases. Pharmacological agents are essential for highlighting tissues and vessels and for analyzing organ metabolism. In this context, nuclear medicine (NM) radiopharmaceuticals and computed tomography (CT) contrast media are prominent in this area. Objective: To compare the functionality of radiopharmaceuticals and contrast agents, thus understanding the potential of their specific functions and indications. Methodology: The integrative review analyzed 218 articles published between 2020 and 2024, in Portuguese and English, selected from the SciELO, LILACS, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, using the following descriptors in Portuguese: “Radiofármaco”, “Meio de Contraste”, “Medicina Nuclear”, and “Tomografia Computadorizada”, and in English: “radiopharmaceutical”, “contrast media”, “nuclear medicine”, and “computed tomography”, using Boolean operators (AND/OR). The screening resulted in the exclusion of 120 articles by title, 44 by abstract, 4 for involving animal studies, 1 duplicate, and 37 after complete reading. In the end, 12 articles were selected. Results: The articles were compared based on the intended use of radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media, the purpose of these agents in image acquisition, possible adverse effects, their influence on the radiation dose to patients, and the imaging findings provided by each. Conclusion: It was concluded that both pharmacological agents are used for different purposes, both in MR and CT, which excludes the possibility of one replacing the other.