Elliot Hospital | Diagnostic Imaging (2023)

FAQs

What can a CT scan show that an MRI Cannot? ›

A CT scan is better for showing bone and joint issues, blood clots, and some organ injuries, while an MRI is better for inflammation, torn ligaments, nerve and spinal problems, and soft tissues. Beyond accuracy, patient comfort is also a variable your doctor will keep in mind. MRI and CT scan machinery are different.

Advantages of MRIs

Magnetic resonance imaging produces clearer images compared to a CT scan. In instances when doctors need a view of soft tissues, an MRI is a better option than x-rays or CTs. MRIs can create better pictures of organs and soft tissues, such as torn ligaments and herniated discs, compared to CT images.

Medical imaging refers to several different technologies that are used to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor, or treat medical conditions.

CT scans take a fast series of X-ray pictures, which are put together to create images of the area that was scanned. An MRI uses strong magnetic fields to take pictures of the inside of the body. CT scans are usually the first choice for imaging. MRIs are useful for certain diseases that a CT scan cannot detect.

A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn't have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues.

Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.

Both MRIs and CT scans can view internal body structures. However, a CT scan is faster and can provide pictures of tissues, organs, and skeletal structure. An MRI is highly adept at capturing images that help doctors determine if there are abnormal tissues within the body.

The average cost of an MRI can range anywhere from $400 to $12,000, depending on the place of service, health insurance, location, extra medications, the provider, and body part scanned. Health insurance typically covers authorized MRIs.

Ultrasound uses sound waves transmitted through the skin to create images. Ultrasound is the safest known medical imaging modality and can be used by nearly every patient with little to no risk. Ultrasound is safe for even unborn fetuses and those who cannot use other modalities.

Practitioners of radiology are called radiologists, and they utilize imaging technology in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Medical imaging is a technology which is used by radiologists, particularly for diagnostic purposes.

What can be diagnosed by medical imaging? ›

Learn more about our five most common modalities for our various types of imaging tests: X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and PET.

How long does an MRI scan take? A single scan may take a few seconds or 3 to 8 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans. The total scan lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are needed.

“They aren't doctors, and while they do know how to get around your anatomy, they aren't qualified to diagnose you.” That is true even though the tech likely knows the answer to your question. Imaging techs administer thousands of scans a year.

The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.

In a CT scan, dense substances like bones are easy to see. But soft tissues don't show up as well. They may look faint in the image. To help them appear clearly, you may need a special dye called a contrast material.

Chronic back pain or an injury to the spine are among the most common reasons to have a CT scan. A doctor may also order a spinal CT scan to: Evaluate spinal fractures. Assess the condition of the spine before and after surgical procedures.

There is no recommended limit on how many computed tomography (CT) scans you can have. CT scans provide critical information. When a severely ill patient has undergone several CT exams, the exams were important for diagnosis and treatment.

Keep your eyes closed or even wear a blindfold.

It's much easier in an open MRI it's wider than a standard scanner, so patients shouldn't feel any walls touching them.

It's important that patients remove all clothing prior to their MRI exam. We ask patients to remove: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any undergarment that could have metal in it.

Can I brush my teeth before an MRI? ›

The Morning of Your MRI

You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!

An MRI is the best type of imaging for looking at tissue. Your physician may order an MRI on the damaged muscle to find or learn more about your injury. This type of muscle tear imaging can pinpoint the location of even the smallest muscle strains and determine whether a partial or complete strain has occurred.

MRI for Back Pain. Like x-rays, CT scans are usually quicker than MRIs. CT scans are the preferred tool for diagnosing severe injuries that need immediate attention, and they are also helpful in locating tumors. Typically, CT scans are better at scanning bone images than MRIs.

Purpose: MRI scans are great for creating very detailed 3D images of soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, your spinal cord and your brain. CT scans are better suited for imaging injuries from trauma, staging cancer, and diagnosing conditions in blood vessels.

Yes. Most diagnostic tests are covered by health insurance plans, including the cost of tests like X-rays, blood tests, MRIs and so on.

The average cost for an MRI in the U.S. is a little over $1,300. Patients without insurance or whose insurance comes with a high deductible can expect to pay up to $5,000. Even with insurance, MRIs typically run between $500 and $1,000.

Medicare typically covers MRI scans when your doctor determines that it's medically required to reach a diagnosis. MRI scans are classified as “ diagnostic non-laboratory tests ” under Medicare Part B.

Higher radiation–dose imaging

Most of the increased exposure in the United States is due to CT scanning and nuclear imaging, which require larger radiation doses than traditional x-rays. A chest x-ray, for example, delivers 0.1 mSv, while a chest CT delivers 7 mSv (see the table) — 70 times as much.

Radiation Doses for Common CT Scans

Colonography: 6 mSv, equal to about 2 years of background radiation. Head: 2 mSv, equal to about 8 months of background radiation. Spine: 6 mSv, equal to about 2 years of background radiation. Chest: 7 mSv, equal to about 2 years of background radiation.

There is no recommended limit on how many computed tomography (CT) scans you can have. CT scans provide critical information. When a severely ill patient has undergone several CT exams, the exams were important for diagnosis and treatment.

Is ultrasound or radiology better? ›

As you can see, the biggest difference between radiology and sonography is the type of medical equipment you'll use. Plus, while an x-ray can diagnose a wide range of medical conditions, ultrasound focuses more on specific body parts and their health.

This question was addressed on the RSNA site and there is no issue doing both MRI and CT the same day with Gadolinium and Iodinated Contrast.

MRI versus Ultrasound

MRIs rely on magnets to produce 3D images of the inner structures of the body. It can highlight tissue changes in the body that indicate an injury. An ultrasound, on the other hand, uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body's inner organs and structures.

1. X-rays. The most common diagnostic imaging exam performed in medical facilities is the X-ray, which is a broad term that also covers numerous sub-categories.

X-rays. X-rays are among the most commonly used and well-known diagnostic imaging tests. Doctors use them to view the inside of the body.

Imaging studies are frequently used to support the diagnosis of infection in acutely ill patients. Structural imaging studies include plain radiography, ultrasound, CT, and MRI. These methods can establish the presence of abnormal tissue or fluid collections that often accompany bacterial infection.

Can a Radiologist See Breast Cancer from a Mammogram, Ultrasound, or MRI? While breast imaging techniques can find suspicious areas in your breast that may be cancer, they can't tell for sure if cancer is present. A breast biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

The doctor uses a CT scan to take images of the inside of your body from various angles using x-rays. Then, a computer combines the pictures into a three-dimensional, detailed image to reveal any tumors or abnormalities.

The patient should have nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the imaging study, no caffeine for 12 hours prior to the study. If the study is performed on 2 separate days, then the patient should allow for 2 hours on the first day and 1 hour on the second day for this examination.

After the Examination

They can also drive you home if you have sedative medicine during the examination. If you do take sedative medication, you cannot drive yourself. Ask your caregiver if you want a family member to remain with you during the examination.

Do I need someone to drive me home after a MRI? ›

Once your MRI scan is complete, you'll be escorted back to the changing area to retrieve your belongings. If your doctor gave you any medication or sedation, DO NOT attempt to drive yourself home. Make sure you have someone who can get you home.

After your MRI scan, a radiologist will analyze the images. The radiologist will send a signed report to your primary healthcare provider, who will share the results with you. The report is usually ready for your healthcare provider within one or two days. You may need a follow-up exam.

After analysing the images, the radiologist will write a report and send it to the doctor who referred you for the scan so they can discuss the results with you. This normally takes a few days or weeks.

Research shows that radiologists misdiagnose patients' conditions at least 36% of the time. This is 24% more often than what occurs in any other environment.

A: Your exam will usually be read the same day and the report will be sent to your physician as soon as possible after the radiologist has completed his or her interpretation. If requested by your physician, or if there is an urgent finding, a report will be called in to your physician the same day the exam is read.

Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.

If You Have an Overactive Bladder

This feeling of urgency can make it harder to hold urine in. While you may still experience this urgency to a degree, not drinking for several hours before your procedure can make you less likely to experience incontinence during the scan.

Drawbacks of MRI scans include their much higher cost, and patient discomfort with the procedure. The MRI scanner subjects the patient to such powerful electromagnets that the scan room must be shielded.

In a CT scan, dense substances like bones are easy to see. But soft tissues don't show up as well. They may look faint in the image. To help them appear clearly, you may need a special dye called a contrast material.

CT arthrography with multiplanar reconstructions can detect meniscus tears that are not visible on MRI. This technique is also useful in case of MRI contraindications, in postoperative assessment of meniscal sutures and the condition of cartilage covering the articular surfaces.

Can a CT scan detect a torn rotator cuff? ›

CT rapidly creates detailed pictures of the shoulder. The test may help diagnose or detect: A dislocation, fracture, or other shoulder injury. Soft tissue problems such as damage to the rotator cuff tendons.

A CT scan can show whether you have a tumor—and, if you do, where it's located and how big it is. CT scans can also show the blood vessels that are feeding the tumor. Your care team may use these images to see whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, such as the lungs or liver.

The low doses of radiation used in CT scans have not been shown to cause long-term harm, although at much higher doses, there may be a small increase in your potential risk of cancer. CT scans have many benefits that outweigh any small potential risk.

MRI . This uses a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of both hard and soft tissues within your knee. It's the best imaging study to detect a torn meniscus.

You will have a physical examination to find out if you have a torn meniscus and to rule out other knee injuries. Your doctor will check both knees for tenderness, range of motion, and knee stability. X-rays are usually done. Based on your symptoms and the physical examination, your doctor may diagnose a meniscus tear.

Rotator cuff tendon tears often cause pain at night. The pain may even wake you. During the day, the pain is more tolerable, and usually only hurts with certain movements, such as overhead or reaching toward the back. Over time, the symptoms become much worse and are not relieved by medicines, rest, or exercise.

The drop arm test is used to assess for full thickness rotator cuff tears, particularly of the supraspinatus. This can be useful when diagnosing sub-acromial pain syndrome (shoulder impingment) or to differentiate between shoulder and rotator cuff pathologies.

What are 2 risks of a CT scan? ›

Risks of CT Scan

Radiation exposure during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. If contrast dye is used, there is a risk for allergic reaction to the dye. Patients who are allergic to or sensitive to medications, contrast dye, iodine, or shellfish should notify their physician.

Usually the radiologist will send a report to your GP or the doctor who referred you for the CT scan. It can take several days, or even a week or two, for your results to come through.