In most places, the patient will need to undress, usually down to their underwear, and put on a gown that the health center will provide. The patient may need to abstain from food, and possibly drink, for a specific period before the scan. CT scans provide a better image of the lungs and organs in the chest cavity between the lungs.Broken bones and vertebrae are more clearly visible on a CT scan.A CT scan shows organ tear and organ injury more quickly, so it may be more suitable for trauma cases.A brain tumor is more clearly visible on MRI.A CT scan is better suited to cancer, pneumonia, abnormal chest x-rays, bleeding in the brain, especially after an injury.MRI is better for examining the spinal cord.Unlike an MRI, a CT scan does not show tendons and ligaments.A CT scan uses X-rays, but an MRI uses magnets and radio waves.The main differences between CT and MRI are: Even small bones are clearly visible, as well as their surrounding tissue. It can also provide vital data about injuries to a patient’s hands, feet, and other skeletal structures. It can help a doctor assess bone diseases, bone density, and the state of the patient’s spine. It can show any lacerations of the spleen, kidneys, or liver.Īs a CT scan detects abnormal tissue, it is useful for planning areas for radiotherapy and biopsies, and it can provide valuable data on blood flow and other vascular conditions. The image allows a doctor to confirm the presence and location of a tumor, its size, and how much it has affected nearby tissue.Ī scan of the head can provide important information about the brain, for instance, if there is any bleeding, swelling of the arteries, or a tumor.Ī CT scan can reveal a tumor in the abdomen, and any swelling or inflammation in nearby internal organs. Share on Pinterest A CT scan can detect abnormalities in the soft tissue.ĬT is often the preferred way of diagnosing many cancers, such as liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers. The National Cancer Institute advise patients to discuss the risks and benefits of CT scans with their doctors. The beam takes a spiral path during the scanning, so it gathers continuous data with no gaps between images.ĬT is a useful tool for assisting diagnosis in medicine, but it is a source of ionizing radiation, and it can potentially cause cancer. The accuracy and speed of CT scans may be improved with the application of spiral CT, a relatively new technology. If blood vessel images are the target, a contrast agent will be injected into the veins. If images lower down the body are required, such as the rectum, the patient may be given a barium enema. The barium appears white on the scan as it travels through the digestive system. Sometimes, a contrast dye is used because it can help show certain structures more clearly.įor instance, if a 3-D image of the abdomen is required, the patient may have to drink a barium meal. This data is transmitted to a computer, which builds up a 3-D cross-sectional picture of the part of the body and displays it on the screen. The CT scanner’s X-ray detector can see hundreds of different levels of density. The CT scan produces a more detailed final picture than an X-ray image. This is different from an X-ray machine, which sends just one radiation beam. Share on Pinterest A CT scan can help diagnose many types of cancer.Ī CT scanner emits a series of narrow beams through the human body as it moves through an arc.
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