CAT scan--vs-- MRI scan

[Dinger2]

Can anyone explain the difference between a CAT & MRI scan My 87 yr old mum with osteoporosis suspects she has caused a fracture of a bone in her back doing gentle exercise and is now in great pain. Which of the two Scans would give the best(clearest) picture? (if the doctor decides)

[NazNomad]

Would the doc not suggest the cheaper option first, an X-ray?

[jake-the-peg]

CT or CAT stands for computer aided tomography - an x-ray machine rotates around the body and a computer reconstructs a 3d image from that.

MRI is magnetic resonance imaging - an exceptionally powerful magnet aligns the body's atoms and a radio wave excites them so that they can be detected.

Traditionally MRI is best used for soft tissues where x-rays aren't so good.

I'm no expert but I'd expect them to ask for a CAT scan

[rowanwitch]

An MRI would be difficult as she would need to lie completely still and flat for the duration of the scan...which takes place in a narrow 'tunnel' and it would only be used if they thought soft tissue like the discs were involved CT might be used as might ultra sound to assess damage around the affected area but high resolution x rays would still be the mainstay of investigations I would have thought and far less distressing for your mum

[Sqad]

In simple terms......if one is looking for a soft tissue disorder then it is an MRI scan.

If one is looking for a bony or solid pathology then it is CAT scan.

e.g Brain tumour.........MRI
Osteo arthritis.....CAT

[Dinger2]

Thanks to jake the peg and Rowawitch for your helpful answers-both 10/10

[Divinecrew]

CT scan uses Xrays, MRI uses a big magnet. Both give good pictures but if you have any metal in your body, (such as a hip replacement) you cant have an MRI

[Divinecrew]

CT uses Xrays and MRI scan uses a magnetic field. Both give good pictures, tough if you have any metal in your body, such as a hip replacement then you cant have an MRI.