Why would a doctor order a CT scan instead of an MRI?

A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn't have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues.

hopkinsmedicine.org - CT Scan Versus MRI Versus X-Ray: What Type of Imaging Do I Need?

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If you’ve ever had an injury, chances are you’ve had an imaging exam. Imaging tests are extremely powerful tools that can help doctors diagnose a range of conditions. However, imaging tests are not the same as one another. Learn the differences between a CT scan, MRI and X-ray so you can have an informed discussion with your doctor about which type of imaging is right for you. CT scans, MRIs and X-rays are all diagnostic tools that allow doctors to see the internal structures of the body. They create images using various forms of electromagnetic energy such as radio waves and X-rays. These imaging technologies differ widely when it comes to:

Accessibility

Resolution (level of detail in the images)

Type of energy used

What injuries require an X-ray?

An X-ray, also called a radiograph, sends radiation through the body. Areas with high levels of calcium (bones and teeth) block the radiation, causing them to appear white on the image. Soft tissues allow the radiation to pass through. They appear gray or black on the image. An X-ray is the fastest and most accessible form of imaging. An X-ray exam only takes a few minutes to complete. “That’s usually the first-line imaging,” explains Laura Fayad, M.D., M.S., chief of musculoskeletal imaging at Johns Hopkins Medicine “X-rays often allow us to see major problems with the bones.”

X-rays are ideal for spotting:

Fractures

Dislocations

Misalignments

Narrowed joint spaces

An X-ray won’t show subtle bone injuries, soft tissue injuries or inflammation. However, even if your doctor suspects a soft tissue injury like a tendon tear, an X-ray might be ordered to rule out a fracture.

What injuries require an MRI?

An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses a powerful magnet to pass radio waves through the body. Protons in the body react to the energy and create highly detailed pictures of the body’s structures, including soft tissues, nerves and blood vessels. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, MRIs don’t use any radiation. At Johns Hopkins, we’ve developed very fast, high-resolution MRIs that can be done in 10 minutes or less. An MRI scanner is a highly specialized machine and may not be available in some imaging facilities or emergency rooms at other hospitals.

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“Often, problems are too subtle to see on an X-ray,” says Fayad. “That’s where MRI comes in. An MRI offers excellent contrast resolution for bones and soft tissues.”

MRIs are especially useful for spotting sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions, including:

Cartilage loss

Joint inflammation

Nerve compression

Spinal injuries

Torn or detached ligaments, tendons, muscles and cartilage, such as: Meniscal tears ACL injuries Achilles tendon ruptures Sprains and strains Rotator cuff tears

What injuries require a CT scan?

A CT scan, or computed tomography scan, sends radiation through the body. However, unlike a simple X-ray study, it offers a much higher level of detail, creating computerized, 360-degree views of the body’s structures. CT scans are fast and detailed. They take longer than X-rays but are still fast (about one minute). This makes them ideal for emergency situations. “CT indications are often related to trauma, such as someone who was in an accident or fell, to rule out fracture,” explains Fayad.

CT scans can spot:

Blood clots

Bone fractures, including subtle fractures not visible on X-ray

Organ injuries

What are the differences between an MRI and CT scan?

A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can’t have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn’t have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues. However, they aren’t as effective as MRIs at exposing subtle differences between types of tissue.

hopkinsmedicine.org - CT Scan Versus MRI Versus X-Ray: What Type of Imaging Do I Need?

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