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The magnetised protons in the soft tissue send out an echo in response to the MRI scan’s radio waves. Soft tissue contains water molecules and the magnetic field acts upon microscopic substances (called protons) found in water. Inside the cylinder is a magnet that, when operated, creates a powerful magnetic field. The MRI scan consists of a table that slides into a large cylinder. This allows high-resolution pictures of many organs and tissues to be taken that are invisible to standard x-rays. MRI scans image water, which makes them very useful because all tissues of the body contain various amounts of water. Normal x-rays image calcium, so they are good to see bones. One way to think of an MRI scan is a water ‘x-ray’ (although no actual x-rays are involved). It is especially helpful to collect pictures of soft tissue such as organs and muscles that don’t show up on x-ray examinations. It uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures inside the body. If your doctor has ordered an MRI, you may need to go to a designated imaging center for your scan.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scan used for a medical imaging procedure. MRI scans are not available at all hospitals. Because the MRI uses large magnets, be sure to notify your doctor if you have metal clips, implants or other metal objects in the body. Like an X-ray or CT scan, the MRI is painless, but the machine does produce a loud noise. These vibrations are translated into detailed 2D images captured by a special computer program. The radio waves cause the tissues in the body to resonate. The machine then creates a magnetic field around the patient and pulses radio waves into the area of the body being pictured. MRI does not include radiation, as X-rays and CT scans do, and is generally used to diagnose bone and joint problems as well as torn ligaments and cartilage and herniated discs.ĭuring an MRI scan, the patient lies still on a table that slides into the tube-shaped MRI scanner. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create detailed, high-resolution cross-section images of bones and soft structures inside the body. The technologist can speak with the patient using speakers and microphones.Ī CT scan is more expensive than an X-ray and is not always available at small or rural hospitals. The technologist performing the scan sits in a separate room with computers on which the images are displayed. The patient lies on a table that slides in and out of the tunnel, while the scanner rotates around the patient, producing cross-section images of the body. Contrast dyes are often injected into the blood to make structures within the body more visible on the CT scan.Ī CT scan produces detailed images of organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels and can be used to more easily diagnose cancer, heart disease, appendicitis, musculoskeletal disorders, trauma and infectious diseases.Ī CT scanner looks like a large box with a tunnel in the center. The CT scan is a more sophisticated and powerful X-ray that takes a 360-degree image of internal organs, the spine and vertebrae. The machine then sends electromagnetic waves (radiation) through the body, reflecting the patient’s internal structures on the exposed film.Īlthough the amount of radiation used for an X-ray is not considered dangerous, doctors will take certain precautions if the patient is pregnant.Ī computed tomography scan, or CT scan, is similar to an MRI in that it produces detailed, high-quality images of the body. In this case, the patient may given barium sulfate or dye to make the organs stand out more clearly in the X-ray image.ĭuring an X-ray, the part of the body that is being looked at will be placed between an X-ray machine and photographic film. Though often used to examine skeletal structures, an X-ray can also be used to look at other internal structures, such as organs. X-rays are typically used to view and diagnose bone disease, degeneration, fractures, dislocations, infections and tumors. When the rays pass through the body, dense objects-such as bones-appear white on the film. X-rays use radiation to produce images of the body. Even if a patient may need a more sophisticated test, they will often receive an X-ray first. X-rays are the most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique.
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So what is the difference between X-rays, CT scans and MRI? The type of imaging used depends on the part of the body the doctor wants to see on an image, as well as the type of imaging that is readily available to the patient. Doctors commonly use diagnostic imaging techniques to narrow down possible causes of pain or illness for a more accurate diagnosis. There are different types of diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, CT scans and MRI.