Which is better, MRI or CT

The two tests we often do in the hospital are MRI and CT. MRIs are generally more expensive. It mainly examines lesions of the brain and spinal cord, mainly using neurosurgery examination methods. The diagnosis rate is high and the images are clear. The price of ct is more affordable and can be afforded by ordinary families. CT has a longer history of application and is mainly used for the diagnosis of the central nervous system.

When doing examinations and taking X-rays in the hospital, many patients have doubts about the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scans arranged by the doctors. Sometimes, after doing a CT scan, they are asked to do an MRI again. Patients think that this is not a duplicate examination? Are hospitals cheating people in order to make money? So which one is better, MRI or CT? What is the difference between the two?

1MRI is significantly more advantageous than CT in soft tissue examination. CT is more advantageous for examining bone tissue and lungs that cannot be imaged by MRI. MRI is applicable to almost all diseases of all systems in the body, such as tumors, inflammation, trauma, degenerative lesions and various congenital diseases. It is better than CT in displaying brain, spine and spinal cord diseases. Because it can fully and finely display the tiny structures of the heart, it is also a reliable method for diagnosing various heart diseases and testing heart function.

2. MRI can sensitively detect changes in water content in tissue components, and therefore can often detect lesions more effectively and earlier than CT.

3. MRI does not produce artifacts found in CT detection. It not only reflects the anatomical structure of the human body, but also provides physiological, pathological, and biochemical information. It is considered to have many advantages such as imaging at the molecular level.

4. MRI does not require the injection of contrast agents, has no ionizing radiation, and is less harmful to the human body; CT uses X-rays for examination and has radiation.

5. MRI has high technical content and is more expensive than CT.

6. Since MRI imaging takes a long time, clear images cannot be obtained for comatose or agitated patients, and those with metal foreign bodies in their bodies should not choose MRI.

CT examination is equivalent to X-ray examination and imaging that rotates around a specific part of the human body, and what is seen is the cross-section of this part; while MRI can image in the cross-section, longitudinal section, or any other section, so doctors can view the patient's condition from all angles. Indeed, MRI can often detect lesions earlier and more effectively than CT.

So MRI is better than CT? Although MRI is radiation-free and CT is radiation-sensitive, MRI is expensive and CT is sufficient for general patients. In addition, for some manic patients who cannot calm down, comatose patients, and those with metal foreign bodies in the body (such as fixed metal dentures, steel plates reserved after surgery, etc.), these types of patients cannot undergo MRI, but CT can ensure clear images.

Therefore, depending on the actual situation, some patients may not be able to determine the size and severity of the lesion after a CT scan. In order to diagnose the condition more accurately, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo further examinations and then an MRI.