If you have recently been injured or there are concerning symptoms, your healthcare provider will recommend imaging tests to diagnose the condition better. And when it comes to capturing images within a person’s body, two of the most trusted methods are CT scans and MRI scans. Many people assume that these two are the same, but there are many differences, and you should know about them to decide which one to opt for. Although highly detailed pictures of internal structures are taken by both methods, they have their unique strengths. So, here’s a detailed discussion on MRI scan vs CT scan to help you understand under what circumstances doctors suggest MRI and CT scans.

An Overview of CT and MRI scans 

Diagnostic imaging techniques play a major role in identifying the source of a problem as well as offering valuable information necessary to diagnose a range of medical conditions. 

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnets and radio waves to see objects inside the body. The powerful magnets along with radio waves generate detailed images of structures inside the body. These scans are a great way of diagnosing problems with the joints, brain, wrists, heart, ankles, blood vessels, and breasts. The MRI machine or MRI scanner is so loud that you will be offered headphones or earplugs to make the sound bearable. Your doctor will also advise you to lie still at one place while the procedure is being performed so that the images are accurate.

CT scans differ from MRI scans as during a CT scan, X-rays are used to create pictures of bones, organs, and tissues. They are also known as CAT scans and are typically used to detect tumors in various organs, internal bleeding, pneumonia, bone fractures, and cancer. During the procedure, you will lie down on the table and the table will move through a donut-shaped scanning ring.

Whatever the type of scan, you can get up immediately after the scan is done. You won’t experience any unusual symptoms like headache, dizziness, etc. and you can go home. 

CT Scan vs MRI Scan: Advantages 

A CT scan proves advantageous as it can generate an image of the entire body within a few seconds. So, it is a tried-and-trusted way of surveying the whole body of the patient. CT Scans also assist doctors in diagnosing as well as staging cancer, monitoring if cancer treatment is effective, and checking if it has returned or spread to other organs in the vicinity. Other than detecting cancer, brain imaging comparison can also be done by a CT scanner when there are brain injuries.

MRI has its unique benefits. It excels at revealing diseases that cannot be detected by a CT scan. For example, it is extremely challenging to detect cancers such as uterine cancer, liver cancer, and prostate cancer on a CT scan. Spine diagnosis with MRI is also far better than spine diagnosis with CT. Other than brain imaging comparison, MRI scans are used for various purposes like checking digestive organs, heart, and other internal organs.

Do CT scan and MRI scan have any similarities?

Large machines are needed for both MRI and CT technology, but the appearance is not the only similarity. Each imaging scan is non-invasive and safe, and both come to the aid of physicians when they try to detect injuries and sicknesses. Both can take photos of multiple internal structures at the same time.

The experience of the patient is also quite similar during an MRI and a CT scan. You will be instructed to remove all metal objects, lie still on a long table, and stay calm. Depending on the reason behind the scan, a specific portion or your entire body will be placed under the scanner.

Contrast agents in imaging are important and both imaging studies require contrast dye. The suitable time to inject the dye is before the scan.

MRI vs CT scan: Risks 

Although CT scan and MRI scan are both safe procedures, some risks can always be there. Clinics and hospitals that perform MRI scans should be mindful of these MRI safety considerations to avoid: 

  • reactions between magnets and metals (worn in the form of jewelry)
  • claustrophobia
  • hearing issues caused by loud noises emanating from the machine 
  • sudden increase in the patient’s body temperature as a side effect of long MRIs

There can be some side effects of radiation exposure in CT scans:

  • harm to the fetus present in the patient’s womb
  • reaction to dyes (like hair color)
  • As CT scans involve the use of ionizing radiation, frequent CT scans may damage DNA, raising the risk of developing various kinds of cancer.

MRI or CT Scan: Which Takes Less Time?

CT scans do not take as much time as MRI scans. So, in emergency situations when a speedy diagnosis can save a patient’s life, doctors prefer CT scans. 

MRI and CT Scan Cost

A common question that people ask their doctors is which medical imaging method will be less expensive. CT scans cost less than MRI scans. But if your doctor thinks an MRI scan is mandatory, price should not be a deciding factor as one type of imaging method cannot replace the other.

Medical imaging costs can vary based on location and the hospital where you are receiving treatment. One good thing is that many insurance companies offer health insurance coverage for scans. So, when you buy health insurance, make sure these things are included to avoid paying extra.

The Takeaway 

So, now that you know all about MRI scan vs CT scan, it will be easier for you to select one over the other. Both MRI scans and CT scans are relatively low-risk imaging techniques. Both provide crucial information to doctors so that they can diagnose certain conditions properly. Most likely, the healthcare provider will recommend which diagnostic method you should choose. Don’t shy away from asking questions to clear your doubts and make sure you are comfortable during the process.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What are the main differences between an MRI scan and a CT scan? 

A: The most striking difference between MRI and CT scan is that MRI involves the use of radio waves and X-rays are used during CT scans. Another difference is that CT scan speed is more than MRI scan and so, the former takes less time.

Q. How do doctors decide whether to use an MRI or a CT scan for diagnosing medical conditions?

A: Doctors figure out whether to use a CT scan or an MRI scan after observing the symptoms of the patient. For instance, if a detailed image of the ligaments, organs, or soft tissue is needed, an MRI is the best option. On the contrary, a CT scan will suffice if only a general image of the internal organs are required after head trauma or a fracture.