CT Scan vs MRI: What’s the difference?

People all over the world are recommended CT and MRI scans by doctors.  These scans serve as a basis for further diagnosis and treatment. Choosing the right scan is vital for the diagnosis of a particular disease or condition.

Contrary to what many think, both these imaging techniques widely differ from each other. Find out the crucial difference between them and when should you prefer one over the other.

What is a CT Scan and What is an MRI Scan?

Doctors examining a scanned image, Credit: Pixabay

A CT or computerized tornography scan combines a set of X-ray images taken from varied angles of the body. A computer is used by the CT scanner to generate images from these X-rays. A CT scan can detect problems in bones, tissues, brain, and other such organs.

An MRI or magnetic resonance imaging scan utilizes radio waves and magnetic fields to generate a comprehensive image of the soft tissues and bones of the body.

What is the Difference between a CT Scan and MRI

Both the tests are used to gain detailed knowledge about the inner organs, soft tissues, and bones. A sound understanding of the difference between mri and ct scan helps your doctor to recommend one over the other to you. The scan differ on several parameters like:

1. Images

2. Price

3. Speed

4. Level of sound

CT Scan Vs MRIS.no.DifferenceCT scanMRI scan1.ImagesLess detailed images of organs are generatedMore detailed and sharper images of soft tissues.2.PriceRelatively inexpensiveFairly expensive3.SpeedShorter in duration, typically 10 minutes.Longer in duration. Can take up to 30 minutes.4.Level of soundQuieter, does not requires an ear protectionNoisy, requires an ear protection

What Can a CT Scan and MRI Diagnose?

A scanned view of body organ, Credits: Pixabay

CT scans create various cross-sections of your body. Thus, they help in detecting problems in bones, tissues, and brains. With this scan, you can get to know about the following health conditions.

1. Abdominal issues in liver, pancreas, and kidneys. CT scan abdomen is used for the purpose of detecting any abominable abnormalities like inflammation, tumour, or infections in these areas.

2. Head and brain conditions like haemorrhage and calcification. A ct scan brain is done to identify tumours or traumas in the brain.

3. Lung and skeletal system problems like breathing issues and bone fractures like spinal cord injuries.

4. Complications in the circulatory system like blocked blood vessels, kidney problems, and heart diseases.

MRIs are used to achieve an in-depth understanding of organs like soft tissues, bones, and other organs. They can diagnose conditions like:

1. Breast cancer and tumours by an effective examination of potentially suspicious areas.

2. Brain and bone health by detecting conditions that may impact brain and spinal cord health. It can also identify the chances of bone infections and tumours.

3. Joint conditions like problems in ligaments and tendons.

4. MRI can also identify various liver diseases.

Cost of CT Scan and MRI Scan

Indian currency, Credits: Pixabay

A CT scan uses powerful technologies to create images of internal organs and tissues. The scan is an effective way of diagnosing many health conditions and makes way for their treatment in the earlier stages itself. Hence, ct scan machine price used by doctors can be as high as a crore. Similar is the case with MRI.

The cost of a CT scan varies greatly depending on your location. In addition, factors like the number of slice sections made by the machine also matter. A typical ct scan cost in india is anywhere between rs. 2000 to rs. 5000. An MRI cost, on the other hand, can range from rs. 1,500 to rs. 25,000.

Hence, we see that both MRI and CT scans are very efficient in identifying and detecting internal health ailments. Depending upon your requirements, a doctor can recommend either of the two.