What is the difference between an MRI and a Catscan? What do they detect?!?

Answer 1

Both MRI and CAT scans make cross-sectional images of any area of the body using a computer system.

DIFFERENCES:
>>The major difference is that an MRI uses a large magnet and radio waves to produce images while a CT scanner uses x-rays. That would mean CAT Scan includes exposure to x-rays but not in MRI.

>>CAT Scan usually can only directly acquire transverse (or crosswise) images, whereas MRI can directly acquire slices in any plane.

>>MRI is superior when it comes to soft tissue contrast, and there are no known side effects.

>>MRI is very sensitive to motion during the acquisition of images while CAT Scan is less sensitive to motion. That makes CAT Scan preferable if the patient is unable to hold still.

WHAT DO THEY DETECT:

MRI provides information about tissue density in the area of the body that has been scanned.

MRI scan of the head:
>>evaluate patients with headaches, seizures, muscle weakness, blurred vision, and hearing loss.
>>evaluate bleeding and swelling in the brain
>>detect spinal cord injury in patients who had traumatic brain injury (TBI).
>>detect strokes, tumors, and aneurysms

MRI scan of the spine:
>>evaluate patients with back pain, herniated disks, narrowing of the spinal canal, and degeneration of the disc spaces.
>>detect spinal fractures and tumors.

MRI is also used to evaluate conditions of other organs - heart, lungs, liver, reproductive organs, spleen, kidneys,etc.
>>MRI detects a tear or aneurysm in a major blood vessel.

>>MRI scan can also detect infections and injury of the soft tissue, joints, and bones (as in brain abscess, meningitis, spinal epidural abscess, osteomyelitis)
>>MRI detects tumors.

ON CAT SCAN:
>>detect abnormalities such as blood clots, cysts, fractures, infections, and tumors in bones, muscles, organs, and soft tissue.
>> examine structures in the abdomen and pelvis (such as liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, intestines, reproductive organs)
>>examine structures in the chest (such as heart, aorta, lungs.
>>examine structures in the head (such as brain, skull, and sinuses).
>> detect abnormalities in the neck and spine (ncluding vertebrae, intervertebral discs, spinal cord).
>>detects abnormalities in nerves and blood vessels.

Answer 2

cat-scan (CT) scan is in two dimensions and MRI ( magnetic resonant Imaging) is in three detentions. CT uses X ray radiation and MRI uses magnetic electron Imaging In conjunction with radio wave pulses of energy, the MRI scanner can pick out a very small point inside the patients body and ask it, essentially, "What type of tissue are you?" The point might be a cube that is half a millimeter on each side. The MRI system goes through the patients body point by point, building up a 2-D or 3-D map of tissue types. It then integrates all of this information together to create 2-D images or 3-D models. MRI provides an unparalleled view inside of the body

Answer 3

Both are medical imaging techniques and are used to measure function and structure of the human body. However, MRI's and CT scans (commonly called catscans) are two very distinct techniques.

The MRI (or Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technique is based on the changes of magnetic properties of atoms, specifically the protons which respond to magnetic fields like compass needles. The magnet in the MRI scanner will cause these protons to be in an upright position. A radio frequency is then emitted causing the protons to become excited and reorient themselves back to their original positions. This reorientation produces movement which are then detected by the scanner.

CT technology however, is based on the knowledge that different types of tissue will absorb varying levels of X-ray energy. In CT scans, X-rays are passed through organs and tissues at different angles. Not all X-rays will be absorbed by the tissue and the un-absorbed radiation is used to construct an image.

Answer 4

MRI is good for detecting soft tissues like tumors,&it has no radiation risk because its magnetic wave, but it takes too much time. On the other hand CTscan is better for bony lesions, fractures & its more rapid but has radiatoin risks especially for pregnants.

Answer 5

In a nutshell:

MRI is great at looking at soft tissue such as the brain and muscles. CT scan is best at looking at bone and blood. CT scans are also much quicker and cheaper to do so in acute cases like trauma and strokes, they are often the first diagnostic test.

Answer 6

same thing