[neilep (OP)]

Hello,

I'm Neil...and ewe are ?

Yesterday I had a CT scan.....trying to get to the bottom of my ear related woes......what's the difference between a CT scan & a MRI scan ?
I gather a MRI is far more intense but how do these scan things work ?

Also, I was the only one out of 6 people whop was having a CT scan.......WHY did all the others have to drink a whole jug of water before their MRI scan ?

It would be scantastic for me if ewe revealed the answer and developed my knowledge base further....

[another_someone]

CT is the same as CAT or Computerised (Axial) Tomography -this is basically a sophisticated X-ray, in 3D.

MRI is Magnetic Resonance Imagining, previously known Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, until people started thinking one should not have the word Nuclear in anything.  MRI immerses you in a massive magnetic field, and then flood you with radio waves, and try and work out what strength of magnetic field will cause the nuclei to resonate at which radio frequencies, and so judge which chemicals exist within a locality of the body.

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MRI vs CT

A computed tomography (CT) scanner uses X-rays, a type of ionizing radiation, to acquire its images, making it a good tool for examining tissue composed of elements of a relatively higher atomic number than the tissue surrounding them, such as bone and calcifications (calcium based) within the body (carbon based flesh), or of structures (vessels, bowel). MRI, on the other hand, uses non-ionizing radio frequency (RF) signals to acquire its images and is best suited for non-calcified tissue.

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 are those which have paramagnetic properties. One example is gadolinium.

Both CT and MRI scanners can generate multiple two-dimensional cross-sections (slices) of tissue and three-dimensional reconstructions. Unlike CT, which uses only X-ray attenuation to generate image contrast, MRI has a long list of properties that may be used to generate image contrast. By variation of scanning parameters, tissue contrast can be altered and enhanced in various ways to detect different features. (See Application below.)

MRI can generate cross-sectional images in any plane (including oblique planes). CT was limited to acquiring images in the axial (or near axial) plane in the past. The scans used to be called Computed Axial Tomography scans (CAT scans). However, the development of multi-detector CT scanners with near-isotropic resolution, allows the CT scanner to produce data that can be retrospectively reconstructed in any plane with minimal loss of image quality.

For purposes of tumor detection and identification, MRI is generally superior. However, CT usually is more widely available, faster, much less expensive, and may be less likely to require the person to be sedated or anesthetized.
Contrast enhancement

Both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images are acquired for most medical examinations; However they do not always adequately show the anatomy or pathology. The first option is to use a more sophisticated image acquisition technique such as fat suppression or chemical-shift imaging.[7] The other is to administer a contrast agent to delineate areas of interest.

A contrast agent may be as simple as water, taken orally, for imaging the stomach and small bowel although substances with specific magnetic properties may be used. Most commonly, a paramagnetic contrast agent (usually a gadolinium compound[8][9]) is given. Gadolinium-enhanced tissues and fluids appear extremely bright on T1-weighted images. This provides high sensitivity for detection of vascular tissues (e.g. tumors) and permits assessment of brain perfusion (e.g. in stroke). There have been concerns raised recently regarding the toxicity of gadolinium-based contrast agents and their impact on persons with impaired kidney function. Special actions may be taken, such as hemodialysis following a contrast MRI scan for renally-impaired patients.

More recently, superparamagnetic contrast agents (e.g. iron oxide nanoparticles[10][11]) have become available. These agents appear very dark on T2*-weighted images and may be used for liver imaging - normal liver tissue retains the agent, but abnormal areas (e.g. scars, tumors) do not. They can also be taken orally, to improve visualisation of the gastrointestinal tract, and to prevent water in the gastrointestinal tract from obscuring other organs (e.g. pancreas).

Diamagnetic agents such as barium sulfate have been studied for potential use in the gastrointestinal tract, but are less frequently used.
Application

In clinical practice, MRI is used to distinguish pathologic tissue (such as a brain tumor) from normal tissue. One advantage of an MRI scan is that it is harmless to the patient. It uses strong magnetic fields and non-ionizing radiation in the radio frequency range. Compare this to CT scans and traditional X-rays which involve doses of ionizing radiation and may increase the risk of malignancy, especially in a fetus.

While CT provides good spatial resolution (the ability to distinguish two structures an arbitrarily small distance from each other as separate), MRI provides comparable resolution with far better contrast resolution (the ability to distinguish the differences between two arbitrarily similar but not identical tissues). The basis of this ability is the complex library of pulse sequences that the modern medical MRI scanner includes, each of which is optimized to provide image contrast based on the chemical sensitivity of MRI.

For example, with particular values of the echo time (TE) and the repetition time (TR), which are basic parameters of image acquisition, a sequence will take on the property of T2-weighting. On a T2-weighted scan, fat-, water- and fluid-containing tissues are bright (most modern T2 sequences are actually fast T2 sequences). Damaged tissue tends to develop edema, which makes a T2-weighted sequence sensitive for pathology, and generally able to distinguish pathologic tissue from normal tissue. With the addition of an additional radio frequency pulse and additional manipulation of the magnetic gradients, a T2-weighted sequence can be converted to a FLAIR sequence, in which free water is now dark, but edematous tissues remain bright. This sequence in particular is currently the most sensitive way to evaluate the brain for demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.

The typical MRI examination consists of 5-20 sequences, each of which are chosen to provide a particular type of information about the subject tissues. This information is then synthesized by the interpreting physician.

[iko]

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MRIkod   [] []

[neilep (OP)]

GEORGE..THANK YOU VERY MUCH.......wonderful information.




IKO !!...DOH !!!

[Karen W.]

LOL LOL HOMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL LOL LOL LOL!!!!!!

[Simulated]

Yepp! That's funny! LoL. I hate MRI's. I sat in one for over an hour. Not moving at all. It stunk!. I've had lots of X-Ray's and no CT scans. Thanks for posting this I've always wannted to know!

[neilep (OP)]

My CT Scan only lasted a couple of minutes...it was quite fun...I wanted to go again !!

I like the spinny turny thing !!

[Karen W.]

My cat scan took about ten minutes and my MRI Took all total AROUND 25 TO 30 MINUTES.. It was like having a jack hammer pounding above my head with the ear plugs and the headphones it was still loud.. he forgot to turn the music on until about half way through the procedure...LOL  Then I could barely here that over the pounding and the ear phones..

[Simulated]

HAHA Karen! I was sitting in there for an hour with those things moving and I don't think I had ear plugs in. lol. And I wish I would have had a CT scan.

[Karen W.]

Cat scan was relatively quiet in comparison!

[Simulated]

Plus the spinny thing. Done Deal! LoL. Why is there a gap between some of the replies? Am I the only that has it?

[Karen W.]

You have to open it up. Use your shrink button to your right some comments are shrunk if they are "pointless comments " Just chit chat!

[neilep (OP)]

Did ewe guys and gals have to drink lots of water for your MRI scans ! ?





*side note: not too sure if i like the grow/shrink thing yet*

[Karen W.]

*I hate the grow/shrink thing It makes me miss posts!*

I did not as it was for my shoulder and arm.. I think it is different if its a full body scan for some reason.At least on the MRI..! They have these weird little cocktails which I believe allow them to see other things maybe digetion system or something.. I am not sure!

[neilep (OP)]

Ewe may be thinking of a barium meal ...sorry, you cannot view external links. To see them, please REGISTER or LOGIN


It's only because all the others who were waiting had to drink this whole jug of water !....they were MRIing..I was CTing!!....I just can't imagine that all 5 had the same condition requiring all that luffley H20 !

[paul.fr]

*I hate the grow/shrink thing It makes me miss posts!*

The grow shrink thing is there to cut out the chat in topics, this reduces the necessity to split topics to remove said chat. You can always get them back by having the grow shrink thing, grow as opposed to shrink  []

[Simulated]

You have to open it up. Use your shrink button to your right some comments are shrunk if they are "pointless comments " Just chit chat!

Thanks Karen and Neil I didn't have any water.

[Karen W.]

Ewe may be thinking of a barium meal ...sorry, you cannot view external links. To see them, please REGISTER or LOGIN


It's only because all the others who were waiting had to drink this whole jug of water !....they were MRIing..I was CTing!!....I just can't imagine that all 5 had the same condition requiring all that luffley H20 !

Well It has been many years ago but they made my mom drink a lot of something.. I don't think it was water though right before her MRI.. Could have been , but I thought it was something else.. LOL who knows..

I do know about the barrium thingy.. That is the chalky tasting thing is it not?

[cocojambo]

Here are the differences & similarities between MRI scans and CT scans taken from the newbielink:http://www.themesotheliomalibrary.com [nonactive]Library

- CT scans allow the radiologist to see detailed views of the lungs & the pleura
- CT scans help determine the location, extent & size of tumor masses residing in the lungs more accurately than x-rays
- CT scans can reveal thickening of the pleura by examining the absorption rates of varying thickness levels of tissues
- CT scans can also indicate lung cancer beyond the pleura within the chest wall or lymph nodes
- CT scans can help evaluate the conditions of the lungs

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used to take pictures of the lungs, structures of the body and organs. It can provide detailed visuals of the body in any plane. The advantage of using MRI over Computed Tomography (CT) scans is that MRI scans provide greater contrast between different tissues of the body making it easier to detect malignant cancerous cells & tumors.
Source: newbielink:http://www.themesotheliomalibrary.com [nonactive]

[Karen W.]

Thanks and welcome to the forum cocojambo!

[Counterpoints]

Some of the information in this thread is misleading.

- The word "nuclear" wasn't removed simply because people "felt nothing should have the world nuclear in it".  Unlike CT, you are not exposed to any ionizing radiation with an MRI scan.
- CAT is an older version of CT.  "Although historically the images generated were in the axial or transverse plane (orthogonal to the long axis of the body), modern scanners allow this volume of data to be reformatted in various planes or even as volumetric (3D) representations of structures."
- Generally, MRI is much better at imaging soft tissue (e.g. brain).  Sometimes CT is better at imaging hard structures (bones). 
- You don't always have to drink something before taking an MRI.  Sometimes you will have a contrast agent (magnetic dye) to make the image clearer.  Many times this isn't needed.  Also note there is regular MRI, and functional MRI (fMRI).

[demografx]

All I know is that when my cat was alive, she refused to be scanned. or touched in any way []

[OldDragon]

There is a woman near me - elderly cat owner - who had to have some sort of scan and had to drink a barium meal before. She had me in stitches afterwards when she said that she needed to jump the queue for the ladies loo because they'd made her drink a barbarian meal. Another eldery woman in the queue remarked that they must have liquidised it first.

There Neil, ewe been warned - stay away from the queues for hospital's ladies loos, else face the danger of PYSL... like me!  [][]

[DoctorBeaver]

I've got to go for another CT scan on my lung. I don't remember much about the last 1 as I was pretty ill [], but I'm sure that was the scan when they injected something into my arm that made me feel as if I'd wet myself. My groin & the top of my legs suddenly went warm. It was a very strange feeling

[Karen W.]

Over the last two years i have had several of both and at one point had to hold off on one as they said... the were making me sick....They were iodized cat scans...

[lancenti]

Blasting radiation into yourself was never a safe thing. Neither was eating purified radioactive material.

Though I don't see how an MRI could do that. If I understand correctly, it functions like an NMR which just works on changing the spin of protons. Come to think of it, are the MRI Machines in hospitals Carbon, Phosphorus or Hydrogen NMRs? I figure it'd be one of these three since these are most abundant.

[Karen W.]

I don"t know.. but I had so many iodized cat scans and exrays and such that they said I was at the limit.. so I just had another and my doctor was worried because she said She had hoped she did the right test as she doesn't want me having too much yet.. I guess there is some kind of time frame and limit before trouble..I really don't understand..

[Counterpoints]

Blasting radiation into yourself was never a safe thing. Neither was eating purified radioactive material.

Though I don't see how an MRI could do that. If I understand correctly, it functions like an NMR which just works on changing the spin of protons. Come to think of it, are the MRI Machines in hospitals Carbon, Phosphorus or Hydrogen NMRs? I figure it'd be one of these three since these are most abundant.

As far as the scientific community is concerned, there are absolutely no known negative after-effects of MRI.  I know MRI researchers who have had over 100 MRI scans done on themselves.  It is basically harmless, as far as we know.

On the other hand, this is NOT true of CT.  The radiation from a typical CT scan can be equivalent to hundreds of typical chest x-rays.  You do not want to have CT unless it is absolutely necessary. If I had a choice between MRI and CT, I would always opt for MRI.

[Counterpoints]

I don"t know.. but I had so many iodized cat scans and exrays and such that they said I was at the limit.. so I just had another and my doctor was worried because she said She had hoped she did the right test as she doesn't want me having too much yet.. I guess there is some kind of time frame and limit before trouble..I really don't understand..

Karen, I would look into getting MRI from now on, instead.  It's relatively harmless compared to CT.  They may be more reluctant to order MRI just because it may cost the medical system a little more than CT.  I don't think this is a good reason though, when we're talking about your health.

As far as I know, with CT, it's the cumulative radiation (e.g. the number of scans you've had in total) that matters, not the amount of time that elapses between scans.  The time concern probably has more to do with iodine.  (e.g. to rest your kidneys before giving you more contrast).

[ScanMan]

Does anyone know what Neuro Vascular Digital Subtraction is??

[RD]

Does anyone know what Neuro Vascular Digital Subtraction is??

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[Karen W.]

I don"t know.. but I had so many iodized cat scans and exrays and such that they said I was at the limit.. so I just had another and my doctor was worried because she said She had hoped she did the right test as she doesn't want me having too much yet.. I guess there is some kind of time frame and limit before trouble..I really don't understand..

Karen, I would look into getting MRI from now on, instead.  It's relatively harmless compared to CT.  They may be more reluctant to order MRI just because it may cost the medical system a little more than CT.  I don't think this is a good reason though, when we're talking about your health.

As far as I know, with CT, it's the cumulative radiation (e.g. the number of scans you've had in total) that matters, not the amount of time that elapses between scans.  The time concern probably has more to do with iodine.  (e.g. to rest your kidneys before giving you more contrast).

I am sorry that I missed this post.. thank you for the information . Its been a long while now but as you said with this information and my further talking with the doctor, it was indeed more cat scans and regular exrays they were worried about, I had taken her comments as being about  MRI's in particular, when she was telling me about all the exrays cat scans and MRI's. Turns out I had had Far too many exrays ct scans etc.... between all the different Doctors.
 Thanks....

[Counterpoints]

I don"t know.. but I had so many iodized cat scans and exrays and such that they said I was at the limit.. so I just had another and my doctor was worried because she said She had hoped she did the right test as she doesn't want me having too much yet.. I guess there is some kind of time frame and limit before trouble..I really don't understand..

Karen, I would look into getting MRI from now on, instead.  It's relatively harmless compared to CT.  They may be more reluctant to order MRI just because it may cost the medical system a little more than CT.  I don't think this is a good reason though, when we're talking about your health.

As far as I know, with CT, it's the cumulative radiation (e.g. the number of scans you've had in total) that matters, not the amount of time that elapses between scans.  The time concern probably has more to do with iodine.  (e.g. to rest your kidneys before giving you more contrast).

I am sorry that I missed this post.. thank you for the information . Its been a long while now but as you said with this information and my further talking with the doctor, it was indeed more cat scans and regular exrays they were worried about, I had taken her comments as being about  MRI's in particular, when she was telling me about all the exrays cat scans and MRI's. Turns out I had had Far too many exrays ct scans etc.... between all the different Doctors.
 Thanks....

No problem.  If they'd like to do another CT/CAT scan, I'd ask about MRI.  MRI scans are kind of fun, in my weird opinion.

[Karen W.]

They are ok.. but the noise was awful. Towards the end my arm felt as if the insides were moving around on my left arm.. It was odd! The music they put on was totally inaudible over the pounding  of the machine. I go for another Ct Scan in September. At least thats what Stanford has said!

[Karen W.]

Do you think there is anything to this..?

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 I just saw the ad here in the forum!

[Counterpoints]

Do you think there is anything to this..?

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 I just saw the ad here in the forum!

Gadolinium is the contrast they use in MRI. It isn't always needed though.  If there is no gad contrast, MRI (as far as we know) is completely safe, so long as you don't have metal in your body, or a pacemaker, etc.

An MRI with gad contrast is also relatively safe.  The contrast is considered safer than the iodine used in CT, with a very small percentage (about 0.03%-.1%) having serious allergic reactions.  The risk they're talking about is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, which from what I've read, is extremely rare and has only been associated with people who have severe kidney impairment (for instance, those in need of dialysis).   If you do have kidney problems though, it is something to discuss with the doctor before having GAD contrast with an MRI.

[Counterpoints]

They are ok.. but the noise was awful. Towards the end my arm felt as if the insides were moving around on my left arm.. It was odd! The music they put on was totally inaudible over the pounding  of the machine. I go for another Ct Scan in September. At least thats what Stanford has said!

Hmm... I wonder if MRI could be used instead.  MRI is usually more detailed than CT.

The noise can be a pain.  Siemens is making some really nice MRI machines these days, which are quieter, faster and sometimes have more space too.  (I'd be cautious about "Open" MRI though, since truly Open MRI doesn't make very good images... an exception is the Siemens Magnetom Espree, which I don't consider "open bore", even though it is advertised that way).

[Karen W.]

I am not sure why.. but when I spoke with the nurse last week she did say it was an CT scan they were setting up. Couldn't hurt to ask I guess. They will be taking measurements and looking at two anuerysms in the Aorta and checking the valves etc.. I have to have them all replaced coming up.

The doctor said to me that after the surgery he can give me five years maybe ten...Is that a common time frame for replacement of all that stuff and dealing with the aneurysms? So what kind of a time frame does one have if I were to refuse the surgical replacements/do you know what the statistics are for that?
Is it worth 5 years? Will the distress and healing of surgery out weigh the gift it gives..?

[Karen W.]

Do you think there is anything to this..?

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 I just saw the ad here in the forum!

Gadolinium is the contrast they use in MRI. It isn't always needed though.  If there is no gad contrast, MRI (as far as we know) is completely safe, so long as you don't have metal in your body, or a pacemaker, etc.

An MRI with gad contrast is also relatively safe.  The contrast is considered safer than the iodine used in CT, with a very small percentage (about 0.03%-.1%) having serious allergic reactions.  The risk they're talking about is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, which from what I've read, is extremely rare and has only been associated with people who have severe kidney impairment (for instance, those in need of dialysis).   If you do have kidney problems though, it is something to discuss with the doctor before having GAD contrast with an MRI.

definitely having Kidney problems.. as a matter of fact they will be checking that right before the schedueled CT scan!

[Counterpoints]

I am not sure why.. but when I spoke with the nurse last week she did say it was an CT scan they were setting up. Couldn't hurt to ask I guess. They will be taking measurements and looking at two anuerysms in the Aorta and checking the valves etc.. I have to have them all replaced coming up.

The doctor said to me that after the surgery he can give me five years maybe ten...Is that a common time frame for replacement of all that stuff and dealing with the aneurysms? So what kind of a time frame does one have if I were to refuse the surgical replacements/do you know what the statistics are for that?
Is it worth 5 years? Will the distress and healing of surgery out weigh the gift it gives..?

When would your surgery be?  I can't answer these questions, but I can try get an opinion.  I imagine it largely depends on your specific situation.  Was it the surgeon who told you this, or your family practitioner? Have you tried asking these questions to either of them?

[Karen W.]

THE CARDIOLIGIST/SURGEON.

I do not know yet! That is one of the reasons for tests.. more CT scans etc..

Sorry I just thought you might know if that was about standard life expectancy after these kinds of surgeries. It's ok.. I cannot find any real sound stats on it  although the ones I did find were vague.

[Counterpoints]

THE CARDIOLIGIST/SURGEON.

I do not know yet! That is one of the reasons for tests.. more CT scans etc..

Sorry I just thought you might know if that was about standard life expectancy after these kinds of surgeries. It's ok.. I cannot find any real sound stats on it  although the ones I did find were vague.

Makes sense.   

My instinct would be to trust the surgeon (and to ask him when you can), but it doesn't hurt to get opinions from some other physicians. Perhaps your family doctor could help you get in touch (or more likely could get himself in touch) with another surgeon, or specialist, who can help give you some stats in the context of your situation.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!  

It's very hard to advise, but try not to spend too much time worrying, and do some things you enjoy. Stress definitely contributes to our health problems. I spend way too much time worrying myself!!

[Karen W.]

 We all do.. each and every one of us, but it helps to have a handle on the details so one can prioritize and be proactive in there own healing.. then the important things can be handled and taken care of for family and such.

I hope your worries are few and you are happy too.

Thanks for those crossed fingers...and the advice and opinions. Hell! Thanks for the conversation!

[Counterpoints]

My pleasure, and good luck!  Your questions are very good.

[Karen W.]

Thank you!

[Lorie]

I can't find how to start a new topic so I am replying to this topic. I have had a lot of problems and pain this week in my lower stomach (where I suspect my ovaries would be). It started Monday when I had a gush of blood accompanied by pain. The Dr said I had a cyst burst and sent me home with no tests done. The following day I was in so much pain so I went back to emerg and they kept me there all day. The Dr on call was the same Dr whom I seen the first time he ran a X-Ray, Ultra Sound and a Ct scan and found nothing. I'm still in a lot of pain and the pain has spread from my lower stomach to shooting down my right leg and my lower to mid back now. Will a MRI show things these other tests couldn't?

[grizelda]

It's probably better to learn sooner rather than later to avoid X-rays of any kind if at all possible.

[rperry81]

I know this post is old, but I was reading in here and ppl was talking about this drink they have to drink etc.....that drink is for a colon test basically and you have to drink something special for it, I found this out from a lady i worked with her brother had to do it and have tests ran for colon cancer

[rperry81]

I can't find how to start a new topic so I am replying to this topic. I have had a lot of problems and pain this week in my lower stomach (where I suspect my ovaries would be). It started Monday when I had a gush of blood accompanied by pain. The Dr said I had a cyst burst and sent me home with no tests done. The following day I was in so much pain so I went back to emerg and they kept me there all day. The Dr on call was the same Dr whom I seen the first time he ran a X-Ray, Ultra Sound and a Ct scan and found nothing. I'm still in a lot of pain and the pain has spread from my lower stomach to shooting down my right leg and my lower to mid back now. Will a MRI show things these other tests couldn't?

If all those tests were ran and it came back nothing then my suggestion to you if this has not been taken care of yet because it has been a year ago, is to go to a regular primary care doctor because ER doctors only run tests and look for certain things not the whole problem, if nothing was seen then for sure follow up with a OB doc and have them run your ultrasound and further tests! I have experienced this myself and I was told by my OB doctor that I have what is called varicous veins in the legs well I have that in the uterus and what happens is it swells up with inflammation right before the period comes and is to much blood flow in the uterus and can stay through out the menstrual and really there is nothing to do about it other then hysterectomy OR if you are bleeding constantly and non stop they have a procedure out that I just learned about it is called NovaSure and they do this which stops menstrual altogether ( newbielink:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrial_ablation [nonactive]) to avoid hysterectomies. The other thing is I'm sure you found out by now what it is, but it could have been a tubal pregnancy even though they ran an ultrasound maybe they did not detect it yet, did they run a pregnancy test? I'm sure they did if they ran xrays they have to. Have you had kids before? Another pain that can be happening is from having kids is a prolapse bladder, I went into the ER from this pain and they ran a CT on me because I was complaining of these pains and they wanted to check my gallbladder on a CT and other organs it all came back normal of course and they did pelvic exam and he tells me I don't see no prolapsing going on etc..., etc......well first off I knew he was crazy because my ob had just told me I had this, and I just recently went to another OB and was diagnosed with prolapse and the extra blood flow in uterus! So see don't always trust ER they are good to help the pain some and run test but not to look at the whole picture! Another thing that could be going on with you is if you have had kids also is an umbilical hernia of the belly navel, I have that and have to have surgery for them to correct it because it flares up and swells up and it pulls and tugs and gets caught up in there and I can't stretch my abdomen area because it will hurt like hell and shoot pains as will the prolapse even with intercourse and as the extra blood flow in uterus. The last and final thing is it could be your sciatic nerve those can cause lower abdomen pain and shoot into the legs and you also have what is called round ligaments in there and those stretch like a rubber band from and with pregnancies and when pregnant a baby will basically bing them back and forth and they hurt like HELL also, I've had that with 2 of my children. I'm curious to know if you found out what was causing your pain so if you get this message please write back, I'm very interested in knowing what your cause of pain was? Thanks!

[cheryl j]

A CT is basically the same thing as an xray, but allows multiple views or cross sections, but uses the same the same technoolgy as an xray, and exposes the patient to radiation. An MRI is basically a giant magnet the creates an image based on the polarity of protons in water molecules in the body. It does not expose the patient to radiation. MRIs are better for looking at soft tissue, and are more useful for finding tumors than CTs in some body organs.