MRI Vs CT Scan Essay

MRI and CT scans are important in the medical field because they distinguish between healthy and unhealthy tissue in the human body. Doctors use these tests so they can see through a picture what is wrong with a patient. Even though both tests are important and helpful, they have their pros and cons. Many people may think that MRI’s and CT’s are similar because they both provide images on the inside of the human body. These two machines work differently and are used differently. MRI scans are used in hospitals all around the world. Strong magnetic fields and radio waves are used to create images of organs and tissues in the human body. The MRI scan helps the doctor see if there are any unhealthy organs or tissues in the body. MRI scans are used for injuries of the back or any other joint injuries, tumors, types of heart problems, and liver disease. When a person is getting a MRI, they need to stay very still. If they don’t, the images will not come out clear. A MRI …show more content…
They are similar because they both take images of the organs inside of a person’s body. For both scans, a patient is placed on a table that slides through the middle of the machine. Also, the units for both scans look similar. They are different because a CT scan uses radiation, and MRI scan does not. It takes longer for the MRI scan to create images. It takes about 30 minutes for an MRI, and about five minutes for a CT scan. MRI scans are better at looking for soft tissues, and CT scans are better for looking at bone fractures. A CT scan would be recommended for a person that has a serious head injury. According to Lindsey Barton, a CT scan is used when there is “bleeding in the brain, swelling of the brain during the first 24 to 48 hours after injury, or detect a skull fracture” (Barton). This test is recommended because it is much quicker than getting an MRI. If a person has a brain bleed, it is important that they get into surgery