What is the Difference Between an CT and a MRI Scan?

Unless you are a diagnostic imaging specialist, you may find all that radiology mumbo-jumbo a little confusing. One question many patients ask is, “What’s the difference between a CT scan and MRI scans?” Maybe you watch a lot of medical television shows, or maybe you have been to the hospital with a friend or family member.

Either way, the jargon rings a bell, but what does it all mean, exactly? Each type of scan is performed by a radiologist, but how do the techniques differ? The two procedures do have a lot in common, and their uses may overlap. For one thing, they are both used as diagnostic imaging methods. However, there are several major differences that separate the two.

When would you need an MRI scan?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and this type of radiology imaging can be performed at a radiology center. An estimated 30 million MRI scans are done in the U.S. every year. A whole 22% of these are head scans.

Other MRI machines specifically examine the tissue in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, or at the internal organs, and are called Extremity MRI scans. The MRI identifies severe problems that can lead to serious illness or death. It’s an invaluable asset to modern medicine.​