MRI Research Paper
Pliura 1
Cole Pliura
Parkland English 102
Major #2
3/12/14
CT vs. MRI Scans Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both diagnostic tests that provide us with high-resolution pictures of any area of the body. Both tests use computers to construct pictures to view within the body. Both of these tests are non-invasive procedures designed to provide medical professionals with a better understanding of the patient’s condition. There are, however, inherent differences in these tests’ mechanisms, sophistication, and application (“What is the Difference Between CT and MRI?”). In short, computed tomography uses a refined version of X-ray equipment to produce an image of the body. As the patient is slowly moved through …show more content…
It can look for aneurysms, bleeding of the brain, or problems such as damage caused by a stroke. The MRI can also find damage of the optic nerves, along with auditory nerves of our ears (“Magnetic Resonance Imaging”). Because dense structures do not show up at all in an MRI, it peers easily into the skull, enabling the delicate nerve fibers to be seen (Marieb 9). A spinal cord injury can prompt a physician to order an MRI instead of a CT Scan (“Magnetic Resonance Imaging”). For instance, multiple sclerosis plaques within the spinal cord do not show up well in CT Scans, but are dazzlingly clear in an MRI (Marieb 9). Additionally, the MRI will check the discs and nerves of the spine for conditions such as bulging discs, herninated discs, or spinal tumors (“Magnetic Resonance …show more content…
This is due to the very narrow tube the patient must be inserted into. Because of this some patients experience a claustrophobic sensation during the procedure (Shiel). In fact, 30% of patients admit to having some level of distress while having an MRI (“Claustrophobia and MRI”). The time required to complete an MRI examination is also not something to be excited about. While a CT Scan only takes 5 minutes, an MRI can sometimes take over 30 minutes to obtain an accurate read (“CT Scan vs. MRI”). Since the scan takes so long, it requires patients to hold still for extended periods of time. This is why infants often cannot get an MRI; they are not able to hold still for a long enough period. Even slight movements of the part being scanned can cause distorted images which means the scanning has to be repeated (“MRI: Advantages and
Cole Pliura
Parkland English 102
Major #2
3/12/14
CT vs. MRI Scans Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both diagnostic tests that provide us with high-resolution pictures of any area of the body. Both tests use computers to construct pictures to view within the body. Both of these tests are non-invasive procedures designed to provide medical professionals with a better understanding of the patient’s condition. There are, however, inherent differences in these tests’ mechanisms, sophistication, and application (“What is the Difference Between CT and MRI?”). In short, computed tomography uses a refined version of X-ray equipment to produce an image of the body. As the patient is slowly moved through …show more content…
It can look for aneurysms, bleeding of the brain, or problems such as damage caused by a stroke. The MRI can also find damage of the optic nerves, along with auditory nerves of our ears (“Magnetic Resonance Imaging”). Because dense structures do not show up at all in an MRI, it peers easily into the skull, enabling the delicate nerve fibers to be seen (Marieb 9). A spinal cord injury can prompt a physician to order an MRI instead of a CT Scan (“Magnetic Resonance Imaging”). For instance, multiple sclerosis plaques within the spinal cord do not show up well in CT Scans, but are dazzlingly clear in an MRI (Marieb 9). Additionally, the MRI will check the discs and nerves of the spine for conditions such as bulging discs, herninated discs, or spinal tumors (“Magnetic Resonance …show more content…
This is due to the very narrow tube the patient must be inserted into. Because of this some patients experience a claustrophobic sensation during the procedure (Shiel). In fact, 30% of patients admit to having some level of distress while having an MRI (“Claustrophobia and MRI”). The time required to complete an MRI examination is also not something to be excited about. While a CT Scan only takes 5 minutes, an MRI can sometimes take over 30 minutes to obtain an accurate read (“CT Scan vs. MRI”). Since the scan takes so long, it requires patients to hold still for extended periods of time. This is why infants often cannot get an MRI; they are not able to hold still for a long enough period. Even slight movements of the part being scanned can cause distorted images which means the scanning has to be repeated (“MRI: Advantages and