Which Scan is Better

If you have been in an unfortunate situation with a disease, your physician might have recommended scans. You might have wondered which is better: MRI or CT scan or maybe X-ray. To help you know when to get which scan, here is everything about them.

Types of scans:

There are many types of techniques for medical imaging.

“Medical imaging techniques are used to show internal structures under the skin and bones, as well as to diagnose abnormalities and treat diseases.”

Shah Hussain et al

Some of these are:

CT scan:

In a computed tomography or CT scan, you might be asked to lie on a moving table. This table goes inside a huge scanner in the shape of a doughnut. The scanner takes pictures from different angles using the x-rays. They are then sent to the computer for better analysis. You might be injected with a dye before it so doctors can see the contrast better.

MRI scan:

In an MRI or magnetic resonance imaging scan, the table and the scanner look similar to CT albeit the scanner is thicker. Here the radio waves pass through your body. The water molecules inside the body help send signals that are translated into an image.

Ultrasound:

It is also called sonography. In ultrasound, there is a device called a transducer that is moved over your body. It emits sound waves that echo back from your organs. They are then caught by the transducer and an image is formed using these.

X-rays:

In this type of imaging, your body part (e.g., foot)  is placed between the source and a plate that is photographic. The radiation is passed through the body. Bones and dense structures block it appearing white in the image while the rest of the area appears grey to block depending on density.

Learn more about X-ray procedure here.

CT scan vs MRI:

Both of these are used to show detailed images of different body parts. Here is the comparison between them.

CT scan vs MRI: reasons for use:

MRI scans are used in the following cases:

• If the ligaments are torn
• Problems with soft tissue
• Issues related to spine
• Issues with nerves
• Any kind of inflammation

CT scans, on the other hand are used in the following scenarios:

• Strokes or any other diagnosis in emergency
• Tumours

• Cancer development
• Broken bones
• Issues in joints
• Internal bleeding or injuries
• Blood clots

A CT scan can sometimes be used to give a birds eye view of the disease, say cancer. An MRI can be performed to check for details, say which cancer. You can choose the one based on your needs.

CT scan vs MRI: time

A CT scan is a very quick process. It takes from a minute to around 10 minutes once you are prepared. That is the reason for its use in emergency cases. An MRI on the other hand can take around 20-50 minutes and the patient has to be very still in this time. It can take longer than this depending on the scan.

CT scan vs MRI: costs

An MRI scan is considerably costlier than a CT scan. An MRI scan costs about £1500 to £2,250 for a full body scan. The CT scan, on the other hand, costs £395 to £600.

CT scan vs MRI: advantages

CT scans are quicker and ideal for cases where diagnosis and progress is to be checked. It helps in a quick survey to check if cancers have spread. It is also ideal for issues with soft tissue.

MRI can provide detailed images. It can identify issues that are often not visible CT scans.

CT scan vs MRI: risks

The radiation used in CT scan can cause change to DNA. There is also a 1 in 2000 risk of getting a fatal cancer as a result of CT scan. Due to the harmful radiation and risk of cancer for the fetus, it is not recommended for pregnant women.

MRI scans can be uncomfortable for people with fear of closed spaces. You also cannot get them done if you have metal in your body. This condition applies on some pacemakers or implants. The labels have to be checked if they are safe to proceed.

Among both the scans, the better one is actually the one that is suited to your condition. Your physician may recommend you the one that is best for your diagnosis or progress.

Case study

Ct scans and MRIs were performed on 53 patients with suspected COVID-19 on the same day. This was done to find and compare data on their lungs. The examples of some of the patients and their results are as follows. A 32-year-old man had a fever and shortness of breath. His CT scan showed hazy spots (called ground-glass opacities) in the lung. His MRI scan showed the same spots as bright areas.

Similarly, a 60-year-old woman also had a fever and shortness of breath. Her MRI and CT scan both showed thick lung spots (called consolidation. A third patient, a 53-year-old man, also had a fever and breathing problems. His CT scan and MRI both showed patchy thick spots in the lungs just that the ones in his MRI were clearer.

The conclusion that was drawn from this was as follows. The results from the MRI were in agreement with CT scan mostly. This makes it a viable option when there are concerns with radiation such as in children. The results also support the use of both MRI and CT scan in monitoring COVID-19 and pneumonia.

CT scan vs ultrasound:

CT scan and ultrasound are both valuable tools for imaging. Here is how they differ:

CT scan vs ultrasound: key differences

CT scan vs ultrasound: costs:

An ultrasound is pretty cheap in comparison to the CT scan. It can cost around £109 to £179 per scan. The price of the scan may vary depending on the area but it remains cheaper than the CT scan.

CT scan vs ultrasound: benefits:

A major benefit of ultrasound over other techniques is that it can show moving objects. That is why it is used to see babies in pregnancy. Moreover, organs and tissues are viewed in real time. It does not use radiations, etc. which make it safe.

CT scans can form images far more detailed. This helps it catch diseases early on that are not visible in ultrasound.

What to choose: ultrasound vs CT scan

It depends on what you need the scan for. If you want to check progression of your disease or any other case that CT scan can help you view better, choose it. If you want to view any part of yours that is not stationary, choose ultrasound.

If you need to get a scan for cancer, CT scans are better in imaging the smaller lesions in lungs or pancreas. It also views the entire body so there is more than a 90% chance in diagnosing the disease in different organs. Ultrasounds can predict cancer in organs that are closer to skin. The cancer diagnosis through this is 80-90% in breasts and kidneys.

CT scan vs X-ray

CT scans and X-ray imaging both use the same source i.e., the X-rays.They are differentiated by the following factors:

CT scan vs X-ray: working principle:

Even though both use X-rays, the working principles are different. In X-ray imaging the machine produces X-ray radiations. They are directed at your body part that is to be examined. Each tissue absorbs them differently. The X-rays that pass through are the body hit a detector. The formed pattern shows an internal image.

On the contrary, the X-ray source or tube rotates in a CT scan. It emits narrow, fan-shaped X-rays on your body. Detectors on the other side capture these X-rays and form an image.

CT scan vs X-ray: image:

In the X-ray, the radiation that passes through the body forms a 2D image. In the CT scan multiple 2D X-ray images or slices are formed at different angles. The computer uses these slices to construct a 3D image.

CT scan vs X-ray: details:

X-ray images show a basic level of detail. For instance, they can tell you about a fracture in bones. CT scan shows bones, soft tissues, and even tumours. It is, thus, more detailed than X-ray.

You must therefore evaluate your needs in order to select one of them. Get an X-ray if you want to see broken bones. Select a CT scan if the situation is more complex than that.

MRI vs X-ray

Here are the few factors on the basis of which x-ray and MRI scans can be differentiated:

MRI vs X-ray: conditions:

X rays can be used in following conditions:

Issues related to bones:

X rays are used to identify the following in bones:

• Fractures
• Loss of density

Issues related to lungs:

In lungs, X-ray can identify the following:

• Tumour
• Pneumonia

MRI, on the contrary, is used in conditions related to the brain, nerves or soft tissue as described earlier.

MRI vs X-ray: key differences:

What to choose in MRI vs X-ray:

Again, your choice in MRI vs X-ray depends upon the reason you are getting a scan for. Your disease/ injury symptoms, and overall status or health are the factors that play in this decision. Your healthcare provider can make this decision for you considering all these factors.

MRI vs Ultrasound:

MRI and ultrasounds both are techniques that don’t use harmful radiations. You can get either of them to check your organs or soft tissues. Yet, they are different on the basis of radiation source, capabilities, costs , time, etc. Here is all about it.

MRI vs ultrasound: Source:

Both of these use risk-free techniques yet different for imaging. MRI uses a magnet that aligns water molecules in your body. The scanner detects them and forms an image. The ultrasound machine emits sound waves in your body and then detects the echo. This echo forms the image.

MRI vs ultrasound: Limitations:

Each of them is preferred over the other in some conditions. Ultrasound waves, for instance, cannot pass through bone or gas easily. Naturally, MRI is preferred when your doctor wants to view something behind your bone or in your lungs.

Side-effect of gadolinium in MRI

MRI uses the gadolinium (Gd) to form better contrast in some cases. Now it has side effects on you if your kidney function is affected in any way. As a result, doctors prescribe ultrasound or additional precautions if you have any kidney impairment.

MRI vs ultrasound: Costs:

MRI is more expensive than ultrasound. Ultrasound is also the more widely available imaging technique. Sometimes, ultrasound is used to detect the problem and then you can get a CT scan or an MRI to see the details. Based on this, you can choose your required technique.

X-ray vs Ultrasound:

X ray and ultrasound are both non-invasive techniques that are used for initial imaging. They can be used in different scenarios based on which body part is to be viewed.

X-ray vs Ultrasound: What do they diagnose

Apart from fractures, physicians and technicians can find dental decay, infections and bone cancer through X-ray. They can also check for osteoporosis and arthritis. Ultrasound can be used to see enlarged hearts, blocked vessels, progression of an unborn baby, etc..

X-ray vs Ultrasound: Real-Time imaging

You can get real time imaging from ultrasound. This is why they are used for hearts and babies, because they are moving. X-rays, on the other hand, do not provide real time imaging.

X-ray vs Ultrasound: What do they diagnose

X-ray imaging is generally more expensive than ultrasound.

MRI vs CT scan vs X-ray vs Ultrasound

Here is a brief comparison of all the scans.

How can Concise Medico assist you with scans

Conclusively, the best scan for you is the one that best suits your needs. Mostly, your doctor can recommend the best one for you. You should still assess your needs to make an informed decision. At Concise Medico, we provide you expert diagnostic services based on your needs. We evaluate your doctor’s recommendation and act accordingly. We consider your ease and comfort at every step of the way.

If you need any of the imaging techniques’ reports and consultation, contact us now.