Ambulance vs Emergency Medical Care: What Is the Difference and When to Call?
Learn the difference between ambulance and emergency medical care and understand when each type of help is needed.
Read more →CT vs MRI of the Spine: Differences, Indications, and Benefits
Choosing between CT and MRI often depends on the clinical goal. CT uses X-ray technology and is ideal for assessing bone structures, while MRI uses a strong magnetic field to provide superior visualization of soft tissues, discs, and the spinal cord.
CT of the Spine: Bone Specialist
Computed tomography provides high-resolution 3D views of the vertebrae.
- Benefits: Fast scan time, safe for patients with most metal implants, and excellent for detecting fresh fractures.
- Indications: Complex fractures, trauma, osteoporosis evaluation, spondylosis, and congenital bone abnormalities.
MRI of the Spine: Soft Tissue Specialist
MRI is the gold standard for evaluating everything inside and around the spinal column.
- Benefits: No radiation exposure, maximum detail of nerves and the spinal cord, and detection of early-stage inflammation.
- Indications: Herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, suspected tumors, multiple sclerosis, and unexplained back pain.
Comparison Table
| Feature | CT Scan | MRI Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Bones, trauma | Soft tissue, nerves, discs |
| Radiation | X-ray dose | None |
| Duration | 5–10 minutes | 20–45 minutes |
| Metal implants | Usually safe | Requires screening |
At Brigid Diagnostic Center, we perform CT and MRI using high-precision Philips and Esaote systems, ensuring maximum safety and diagnostic accuracy.
