A Guide to MRI Scans and More

Article Written By: Kathryn Dawson

There are a few different types of scans that doctors carry out everyday. Each type of scan has its own unique set of benefits that make it ideal for one type of scenario but not necessarily another. They are one of the most advanced ways that doctors can diagnose an illness or problem in the body because they provide clear internal images. The types used in modern medicine vary in their complexity and this makes each one unique.

MRI is one of the most advanced types of scan. This involves creating a magnetic field around the body and sending radio waves through it. When the waves hit the body, energy is released from the cells it has touched. This energy pattern can be detected by a computer and interpreted by software to provide a clear image. Radiologists and doctors can use this image to see if there are any abnormalities with the cells and organs in that area. This is commonly used after a trauma has been suffered by a patient. It is painless, quick and the patient does not need to stay in hospital in order to have it done.

CT is another common type of scan. This provides a slightly less clear picture than an MRI when used alone to scan a patient. It is most often used for the the brain as it can provide a clear image of this organ. It will often be ordered after a patient has suffered a head trauma. It can be used to detect swelling on the brain, bleeding and tumors among other problems.

You've probably heard of an x-ray, you've probably even had one. This too is a type of medical imaging system used to detect problems inside the body. An x-ray is "clumsier" than either MRI or CT scans and that is why it is generally used only for detecting breaks or fractures in the bone. It is not clumsy in the sense that it is dangerous, just in the sense that it doesn't produce the same kind of intricate images that other types of scan do. That is not to say that it can't pick up other abnormalities, it can, but often further investigation would be needed if something potentially problematic was detected in an x ray.

An ultrasound is also an effective method of medical imaging. This works best for scanning unborn babies. It can be used too for other parts of the body however and is effective at picking up breakages to the bones for example, but it is usually reserved solely for scanning pregnant women to check everything is alright with the baby.

PET is also an effective scan and this is especially true when it is combined with a CT. Together they can provide a clear picture of the cells in the body and whether there is any cancerous activity.

There are several types of scan used throughout the world to diagnose and help treat a range of illnesses. From MRI to ultrasounds, each medical diagnostic imaging system has unique benefits making it ideal for a certain set of scenarios. One of the best ways a doctor can detect a tumor is through tumor imaging. In the brain, a CT would be used, in another part of the body an MRI may be more suitable.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson - medical diagnostic imaging analysis applications for working with image data from mri scans.

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This Article Has Been Published on Fri, 4 Feb 2011 and Read 259 Times

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