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Is CT Or MRI Better For Brain Imaging?

Is CT Or MRI Better For Brain Imaging?

The answer to this question is dependent on the purpose of the procedure. CT and MRI are complementary techniques, each with its own weaknesses and strengths. The decision as to which procedure to use is dependent on a number of factors:



  • How quickly it is necessary to obtain the scan
  • What part of the head is being examined
  • Age of the patient


Both techniques are designed to examine specific problems. The advantages of each procedure serve as general guidelines that your doctor will use to decide between head CT and MRI:


Advantages of head CT 


  • CT is much faster than MRI, making it the study of choice in cases of trauma and other acute neurological emergencies
  • CT is less sensitive to patient motion during the examination. because the imaging can be performed much more rapidly
  • CT may be easier to perform in claustrophobic or very heavy patients
  • CT allows accurate detection of calcification and metal foreign bodies
  • CT can be performed at no risk to the patient with implantable medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, ferromagnetic vascular clips and nerve stimulators


Advantages of head MRI 


  • MRI does not use ionizing radiation, and is thus preferred over CT in children and patients requiring multiple imaging examinations
  • MRI has a much greater range of available soft tissue contrast, depicts anatomy in greater detail and is more sensitive and specific for abnormalities within the brain itself
  • MRI scanning can be performed in any imaging plane without having to physically move the patient
  • MRI contrast agents have a considerably smaller risk of causing potentially lethal allergic reaction
  • MRI allows the evaluation of structures that may be obscured by artifacts from bone in CT images
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