The intent of this article is to describe the details of the difference between CT and MRI, including advantages and disadvantages, so as to be a useful guide for people interested in learning about the particularities of these two diagnostic procedures.
) to obtain detailed and three-dimensional images of the internal anatomy of a given anatomical district of the human body.CT stands for Computed Axial Tomography (CT only for Computed Tomography).
Magnetic resonance, on the other hand, is a diagnostic technique that uses magnetic fields produced by a magnet to provide detailed and three-dimensional images of the internal anatomy of a specific anatomical area of the human body.
The most appropriate name for magnetic resonance is nuclear magnetic resonance, a name which, in an acronym, becomes MRI.
It should be noted that both CT and magnetic resonance imaging require the use of very expensive medical instruments, including various components, each fundamental for procedural purposes.
CT and MRI are both diagnostic imaging tests, with the difference, however, that while the former uses X-rays, the latter uses the potential of magnetic fields.
, a tissue, bones or something else; from this it follows that, at the end of the crossing, it is modified compared to before hitting the area under investigation.At this point in the procedure, the modified (or attenuated) X-ray beam ends its "run" on special detectors (detectors), which read the degree of attenuation and send it to a computer; the latter, therefore, has the important task of interpreting the modification to the X-ray beam and translating it into images.
In summary, the CT scan produces images of the anatomical area of interest on the basis of the changes that an X-ray beam undergoes as it passes through it.
Once the modification has taken place, the aforementioned magnet is deactivated and the hydrogen atoms of the area under observation consequently restore their original orientation; this second event is fundamental for the procedure: when they restore their original orientation, the hydrogen atoms of the investigated anatomical district emit an energy that the MRI machine uses to create the diagnostic images.
Clearly, similar to the CT scan, there are special detectors capable of capturing the aforementioned energy and transmitting it to a computer for translation into images.
In summary, magnetic resonance generates the desired images on the basis of the energy released by the hydrogen atoms of the investigated anatomical area, after their exposure to magnetic fields.
- Vascular diseases (aneurysms, strokes, coronary heart disease, etc.);
- Internal bleeding;
- Inflammatory states (eg: pancreatitis, appendicitis, encephalitis, etc.);
- Vascular, skeletal and organ outcomes of severe trauma.
Magnetic resonance imaging, on the other hand, is specifically indicated for the diagnosis of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, such as joint injuries or herniated discs, as it clearly shows ligaments, tendons, cartilages, synovial bags, etc.
