To identify pathological changes in the work of various human organs and systems, it is not always enough to pass tests. Sometimes it is necessary to conduct other studies. Faced with the need to choose, many patients are very afraid of making mistakes, because they do not know what is better than computed tomography or MRI.
What is the difference between MRI and computed tomography?
To understand which survey is more informative in your case, you need to understand the difference between MRI and computed tomography. The main difference between these procedures is the various physical phenomena that are used in the apparatus. With computed tomography, this is X-ray radiation. It gives a complete picture of the physical state of organs and systems. With magnetic resonance imaging, it is a constantly pulsating magnetic field and radio-frequency radiation. They "tell" about the chemical structure of tissues.
The difference between MRI and computed tomography is that during CT a physician can see all the tissues and study their X-ray density, which is constantly changing during illnesses. Different in composition, the tissues completely absorb the rays of the device in different ways. That is why, the smaller the difference in absorbing capacity, the less clear the image will be in the end. With MRI, you can only visually evaluate the picture, because it is based on the saturation of different tissues with hydrogen. This allows you to clearly visualize the muscles, soft tissues, ligaments, spinal cord and even the brain. But at the same time, bones are not visible, because with such a survey there is no resonance from calcium.
The difference is in the size of the examined area with MRI and computed tomography. When doing CT, you can not scan the entire spine, only a small part of it will be visible. The MRI device can cover any part of the body completely.
When is it better to do an MRI?
You know the difference between diagnostic studies, but do not understand which tomography is more accurate than computer or MRI in your case? The MRI procedure is always more informative when:
- Multiple sclerosis ;
- brain tumors;
- stroke;
- inflammation of the brain tissue;
- diseases affecting the joint surfaces, muscle tissue and ligamentous apparatus.
Diagnosis of the disease with MRI is also necessary in cases when the patient has intolerance to radiopaque material, since in some cases, CT is indicated for its administration.
Magnetic resonance imaging is the best choice if it is necessary to study the intracranial nerves, pituitary gland and orbital contents. Also, such a study should be done by those who need to know the stage of cancer with the mandatory introduction of a contrast agent (for example, Gadolinia).
When is it better to do CT?
Finding out what is the difference between MRI and computed tomography, many patients do not understand the main differences of these studies and believe that they are practically the same. Most people opt for CT because this procedure takes less time and costs less. Computer tomography is really worth doing if you:
- trauma to the brain or skull bones;
- acute intracranial hematomas;
- brain tumors;
- defeat of the paranasal sinuses, facial skeleton, jaws, thyroid gland;
- disorders of cerebral circulation;
- otitis or sinusitis .
Do you have a choice - CT or MRI? Choose the first if you have any suspicions of any disease of the spine (hernia discs, osteoporosis, scoliosis, etc.). More informative is CT in lung cancer, tuberculosis and pneumonia. It is preferable to undergo such a study and those who need to specify chest radiographs.