X-ray, CT, or MRI? Understanding Imaging Tests

Introduction: Why Imaging Tests Matter

Many people have most likely had an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI done on them before, but may not know the difference between them. Imaging tests help healthcare professionals see inside the body without surgery. Essentially, they allow healthcare professionals to diagnose conditions that aren’t visible from the outside by producing detailed images of the body. However, the pictures each of these tests produces differ in their own ways, and this blog will go deeper into the differences between them. The focus will be on comparing X-ray, CT, and MRI for safety, use cases, and what each shows.

X-ray

An X-ray uses radiation to create 2D images of dense structures, such as bones. If you have had a broken bone, this is usually the test a healthcare provider would order. Common uses for X-rays include fractures, dental checks, and chest imaging, which includes looking at the lungs.

There are many benefits of using an X-ray, including that it’s quick, widely available, and inexpensive. That said, it does have some radiation, although very little, and is not very detailed for soft tissue.

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
A CT scan is a series of X-ray images combined to create a detailed 3D image. This scan is mainly used to detect internal injuries, tumors, and organ issues. Benefits of using a CT include greater detail than X-rays and a relatively short time. However, it emits a higher amount of radiation than an X-ray and may sometimes require a contrast dye.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
An MRI is starkly different from a CT scan and X-ray. It uses magnets and radio waves, rather than radiation, to image soft tissues. This scan is primarily used to image the brain, spinal cord, joints, muscles, and ligaments. Benefits of using an MRI include its excellent detail for soft tissues and increased safety, as it does not emit any radiation. That said, it also has a longer scan time, is expensive, and cannot be done with certain metal implants.

Conclusion

At the end, the choice of which test depends on what the healthcare professional wants to see. All tests are safe when used appropriately, and radiation has been managed safely for X-ray and CT, while the MRI does not emit radiation. Next time you get an imaging test, you’ll know why that specific type was chosen!