What is a CT scan test?
Computed tomography (CT ) also known as CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that produces detailed images of inside the body using X-ray techniques
What is an MRI scan?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also known as MRI scan is a diagnostic procedure that produces detailed images of inside the body by using as strong a magnetic field
What does a CT scan show?
A CT scan helps in diagnosing the various injuries or diseases inside the body it produced the detailed image of organs, bones, and tissues of inside the body.
What does the MRI scan show?
MRI is the diagnostic test that shows detailed images of nearly each and every organ of our body. It used strong radio magnetic waves to create detailed images. it shows a detailed image of bones, organs, tissues, blood vessels, etc.
What are the advantages of a CT scan?
- It creates a detailed image of the almost entire body
- A CT scan helps in diagnosing the different stages of cancer and helps monitor the progression of the disease
- CT scans help in monitoring the treatment effectiveness and to determine whether there is a need to modify the therapeutic regimen
- CT scans helps in determining if the cancer has spread to different parts of the body
- CT scans are also done for bone fractures or to determine internal bleeding, brain injuries, etc.
What are the advantages of an MRI scan?
- There are certain cancers such as uterine cancer, prostate cancer some liver cancers, etc which cannot be detected with a CT scan, an MRI scan can help detect these cancers. these types of cancers are very hard to detect. MRI scan excels in diagnosing certain diseases that CT cannot.
- Metastatic cancer ( cancer that spreads to other parts of the body)shows better on MRI
- MRI scans also dhows the better image of oft tissue injury, bone injury, brain, heart etc
What are the disadvantages of CT scans?
- CT scan procedure requires the administration of ionizing radiation due to which there is a slight risk of developing cancer
- CT is generally avoided in pregnancy until or unless there is some emergency.\
- The contrast can produce allergic reactions in some people.
What are the disadvantages of MRI scan?
- Medical implants that have a metal in them can interfere with MRI procedures
- MRI produces loud noises which can be stressful for some people
- MRI is more expensive than CT
- Claustrophobic people can find the MRI procedure uncomfortable
Which one is better: CT or MRI
It is not about which one is better the real question is which method is best for your specific needs. Whether to opt for a CT scan or an MRI scan depends on what you want to diagnose for example if you have a stroke then a CT scan is preferred because it can produce fast results on the other hand if you have a problem related to the spine or any other issue which is difficult to diagnose then MRI scan is preferred.
