<link href="//maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.1.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet" id="bootstrap-css"> <script src="//maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/4.1.1/js/bootstrap.min.js"></script> <script src="//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.2.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <!------ Include the above in your HEAD tag ----------> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">The answer to which imaging modality is better for imaging the brain is dependent on the purpose of the examination. <b>CT and MRI</b> are complementary techniques, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The choice of which examination is appropriate depends upon how quickly it is necessary to obtain the scan, what part of the head is being examined, and the age of the patient, among other considerations. All imaging studies that are not performed for research should be obtained in close consultation with a physician. Both techniques are designed to examine specific problems. The utility of “screening” CT or MRI, in which a scan is obtained in a healthy patient without any symptoms to look for a brain tumor or any other condition, has not been established.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">The advantages of each modality listed below serve as general guidelines that doctors use to decide between head CT and MRI:</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><b>Advantages of Head CT</b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><a href="https://atulaya.com/services/radiology/ct-scan/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">CT scan</a> is much faster than MRI, making it the study of choice in cases of trauma and other acute neurological emergencies.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">CT can be obtained at considerably less cost than MRI, and is sufficient to exclude many neurological disorders.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">CT is less sensitive to patient motion during the examination. Because the imaging can be performed much more rapidly.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">CT may be easier to perform in claustrophobic or very heavy patients.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">CT provides detailed evaluation of cortical bone.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">CT allows accurate detection of calcification and metal foreign bodies.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">CT can be performed at no risk to the patient with implantable medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, ferromagnetic vascular clips, and nerve stimulators.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><b>Advantages of Head MRI</b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">MRI does not use ionizing radiation, and is thus preferred over CT in children and patients requiring multiple imaging examinations.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">MRI has a much greater range of available soft tissue contrast, depicts anatomy in greater detail, and is more sensitive and specific for abnormalities within the brain itself.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><a href="https://atulaya.com/services/mri-scan/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">MRI scanning</a> can be performed in any imaging plane without having to physically move the patient.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">MRI contrast agents have a considerably smaller risk of causing potentially lethal allergic reaction.</span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,">MRI allows the evaluation of structures that may be obscured by artifacts from bone in CT images.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><b><a href="https://atulaya.com/services/radiology/ct-scan/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Computed Tomography</a> (CT) and <a href="https://atulaya.com/services/mri-scan/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Magnetic Resonance Imaging</a> (MRI)</b> have revolutionized the study of the brain by allowing doctors and researchers to look at the brain noninvasively. These <b>diagnostic imaging techniques</b> have allowed for the first time the noninvasive evaluation of brain structure, allowing doctors to infer causes of abnormal function due to different diseases.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"> </p> <p style="margin:0cm 0cm 10pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><b>Related Links</b></span></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><a href="https://atulaya.com/services/mri-scan/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">MRI Scan in Chandigarh</a></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><a href="https://atulaya.com/services/radiology/ct-scan/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">CT Scan in Chandigarh</a></span></span></span></li> <li style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 36pt"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:115%"><span sans-serif="" style="font-family:Calibri,"><a href="https://atulaya.com/services/radiology/ct-angiography/" style="color:blue; 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