Medical contrast media is expected to earn more than $15 billion by 2010, driving the market for everything from x-ray and computed tomography contrasting agents to radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine. Growth rates will range from 10 percent to 20 percent for contrast agents used with most modalities, according to Medical Imaging Markets, Volume IV: Contrast Agents, a new study that gives an extensive look at promising developments in the market, released from market research firm Kalorama Information.
 
Ultrasound contrasting agents are expected to climb to the 25 percent to 40 percent range, up from 13 percent of the market, to earn more than $4 billion by 2010. They will make up more than a quarter of the market, competing with x-ray agents which make up more than 50 percent of the current market.
 
There also are many up-and-coming contrast agents to aid in the detection of neurological disorders such as ADHD; blood pool agents for magnetic resonance angiography which is emerging as a viable means of assessing blood vessels; and both diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, which could hold promise for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The report can be purchased directly from Kalorama Information by visiting http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Medical-Imaging-Volume-1340230