CT AND MRI

CT and MRI



CT and MRI

Introduction

Brain imaging is a procedure that allows physicians to examine the structure of the brain or take pictures of how it looks. This is an important tool for the evaluation of brain and neurological disorders, including stroke, seizures, some psychiatric illnesses, and head injuries. There are primarily two types of technology used to image the brain: computed tomography scans (CT or CAT scans) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), both of which are also used to image other parts of the body. Although they both take pictures of the brain, there are important differences regarding availability, cost, tolerability, and when one might be preferred over another for medical reasons.

CT Scans Advantages and Limitations

CT scans were first used during the 1970s and still remain the most widely available and convenient tools for most clinical practice. Notably, they are also less expensive than the alternative, namely MRI. The CT scanner takes multiple X-ray pictures of the brain from a small device that rotates 360 degrees around the head. These multiple pictures are sent to a computer, which then reconstructs the pictures into a coherent image of the brain that can be viewed in various ways. Because these machines are widely available, CT scans are often used when brain imaging is needed in an emergency (Candinas and Boesiger, 2004).

The Computed Tomography scanning also known as CAT scanning is a non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat disease (Filler, 2009). Like most radiographic procedures, CT scans do involve exposure to radiation. In general, these amounts are limited and the exposure falls well below government recommendations for individuals who work around radiation (Buxton, 2002). In some cases, iodine-containing contrast agents or other contrast agents may be used. For brain imaging, these are administered by vein and are used ...