DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MRI ,X-RAY ,CT SCAN,ULTRASOUND

1. PRINCIPLE:
CT scan uses an x-ray beam that slices through the patient.
MRI uses a magnetic field with radio frequencies introduced into it. When your body is placed
inside the magnetic field, the molecules of water in your body (hydrogen molecules) will start to
spin like a kid's top when he spins it. The top will begin to wobble as it slows down. Your
hydrogen molecules will start to wobble just like the top does at a certain rate of speed; the
stronger the magnetic field, the faster they will wobble and the weaker the magnetic field, the
slower they will wobble; it depends on the strength of the magnetic field. Then a radio
frequency is introduced into the magnetic field at the same rate of speed at which the "tops
wobble" causing the wobbling tops and radio frequency to sing out together sharing the same
signal frequency. (Thus the term resonance) That signal is used by the MRI computer to produce
the image.
Medical ultrasound or sonography is a medical-imaging technique based on exposing the
affected area to high frequency sound waves that produce pictures of organs and tissues inside
the body.
X-Rays make use of radiation to get an internal view of the body.
2. APPLICATIONS:
CT Scan does not show you tendons and ligaments very well at all. CT scans provide better
images for bones structures,inner ear as it can easily detect tumors in the auditory canal and
cochlea.CTscans help diagnose bone tumors,bone fractures,internal injuries, internal bleeding &
blood clot and to monitor cancer and heart diseases. CT Scanning is useful for
screening diseases such as colon cancer, detecting injuries and abnormalities in the head, chest,
heart, abdomen and extremities. This technique is often combined with other techniques such
as MRI, and ultrasonography. CT is the preferred modality for cancer, pneumonia, and abnormal
chest x-rays. Bleeding in the brain, especially from injury, is better seen on CT than MRI. But a
tumor in the brain is better seen on MRI. CT shows organ tear and organ injury quickly and
efficiently. Broken bones and vertebral bodies of the spine are better seen on CT CT is far
superior at visualizing the lungs and organs in the chest cavity between the lungs. MRI is not a
good tool for visualizing the chest or lungs at all. Some patients who have received certain types
of surgical clips, metallic fragments, cardiac monitors or pacemakers cannot receive an MRI. MRI
cannot be done in patients who are claustrophobic as the patient has to remain inside the noisy
machine for about 20-45 minutes.
Tendons and ligaments around the shoulder and knee are best seen by the physics used in MRI.
This is due to the density of the tissues that compose the tendons and ligaments. Spinal cord is
best seen by MRI for the same reason. The density of the spinal cord and the composition of it is
such that MRI physics can show it to us much better than CT.
X-Rays are largely used to examine broken bones. X-ray demonstrates the difference
between bone density and soft tissue.
Ultrasound applications are used for diagnostic applications such as visualizing muscles,
tendons, internal organs, to determine its size, structures, any lesions or other abnormalities.
Obstetric sonography is used to visualize fetuses during pregnancy. Other applications
of ultrasound include removing kidney and gall stones, lipectomy and other applications
3. Radiation exposure:
In ct and X-ray moderate to high radiation and in MRI none. No radiation exposure in US
4. Cost:
CT scans and X-rays, usually cost less than MRIs (with contrast). X-Ray is relatively cheaper than
MRI. Ultrasound is less expensive and comparatively safer technique than CT scans.
5. Acronym for :
CT-Computer tomography, MRI- Magnetic Resonance Imaging. X-radiation or Rontgen
radiation
6. Effects on the body:
Despite being small, CT can pose the risk of irradiation. CT scans are associated with the risk of
causing cancers, such as lung cancer, colon cancer and leukemia. This is mainly due to the use of
X-rays. No biological hazards have been reported with the use of the MRI. There are other
safety concerns associated with the use of contrast agents which are administered
intravenously. However, these disadvantages can be reduced with the use of lower doses.
Several studies have highlighted the harmful effects of ultrasound on pregnant mammals such
as mice though this effect has not yet been shown in humans. Also, increased exposure
to ultrasound waves leads to heating up of tissues, changes in pressure and other mechanical
disturbances. The powerful rays have the ability to create birth defects and diseases and can
also alter the DNA. The imaging effects or biological effects of x-rays can cause tissue cell injured
or even celldeath.So X-ray is doubled edged sword; in x-ray therapy it can help kill cancerous
cells,at the same time it can damage normal body cells.Thus we mmust use x-rays in aproper
way and pay attention to protect patient as well as ourselves from high doses of x-rays
exposure. X-Rays used in CT scans usually have no harms.
7. Ability to change the imaging plane without moving the patient:
Not present in CT scan. MRI machines can produce images in any plane. Ability to change the
imaging plane without moving the patient is present in US. While MRI and X-ray are both
imaging techniques for organs of the body, the difference is that MRI images provide a 3D
representation of organs, which X-Rays usually cannot.
8. Details of soft tissues:
Less detailed compared to MRI. MRI is much higher detail in the soft tissues. US is detailed with
advanced technology
9. Details of bony structures:
CT Provides good details about bony structures. MRI is less detailed compared to CT scan.
US is usually not used for bony structures. Instead they are used for internal organs of the body
10. Time taken for complete scan:
CT scan is usually completed within 5 minutes. MRI Scanning typically run for about 30 minutes.
Ultrasound usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Time taken for complete X-ray scan is a
few seconds.
11. Contrast agents:
One of the greatest advantages of MRI is the ability to change the contrast of the images. Small
changes in the radio waves and the magnetic fields can completely change the contrast of the
image. Different contrast settings will highlight different types of tissue Contrast agents are also
used in MRI but they are not made of iodine. There are fewer documented cases of reactions to
MRI contrast and it is considered to be safer than X-ray dye. Contrast agents for MRI are those
which have paramagnetic properties. One example is gadolinium. Iodine use may be associated
with allergic reactions. CT may be enhanced by use of contrast agents containing elements of a
higher atomic number than the surrounding flesh (iodine, barium). Contrast agents for MRI have
paramagnetic properties, e.g., gadolinium and manganese. Due to the high contrast resolution
of CT scanning, differences between the tissues are more apparent compared to other
techniques.