What is the Difference Between an MRI and a CT Scan?

The health industry can sometimes be an alphabet soup of medical terms. When confronted with doctors’ orders for an MRI or a CT scan (or both), people often go with one that seems more familiar, cheaper, or one they can “make do” with in investigating their body’s inner workings. 

While both procedures are imaging methods that provide a look into our internal anatomies, they serve different, specialized purposes. Doctors who order these procedures are skilled in choosing the right tools to help you arrive at a precise diagnosis, which is essential for precise intervention. 

So, what is the difference between an MRI and CT scan?

Let’s find out.

Which is better, a CT scan or an MRI?

Here’s the thing: the better procedure is the procedure that covers your present needs.

A CT scan, or Computed Tomography scan, provides a precise view of your body by taking multiple cross-sectional images by going around you. These cross-sectional images are combined to create a detailed 3D image of the human body, allowing doctors to investigate any abnormalities, rule out possible conditions, and, in the case of surgery plans, precisely map the patient’s surgical procedure. CT scans are useful for visualizing the bones, blood vessels, and tissues.

On the other hand, an MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a type of imaging that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to form an image of the body. MRIs are still non-invasive, as they only require the patient to be placed inside a cylindrical magnet, where the magnetic field aligns the protons in the tissues. With radiofrequency pulses, these protons emit signals to the MRI machine, resulting in an image that illustrates the body’s tissues’ structure, composition, and activity. Because of this, MRIs are great for capturing a detailed image of soft tissues (e.g., the brain, muscles, and organs).

So, there is no “better” procedure per se. To answer the question about the difference between MRI and CT scans, the key lies in how they create images, and the choice of procedure depends on the patient’s specific needs and condition. 

Sometimes, doctors may order both MRI and CT scans as procedures for a patient, especially when one procedure prompts the conduct of another to investigate a condition further or to rule out all medical possibilities. Doctors may do this too when staging certain cancers to accurately measure a malignant tumor’s location, size, spread, and other behaviors or when closely monitoring the treatment response for certain conditions such as cancer or stroke.

What Does a CT Scan Show That an MRI Does Not?

Owing to their upgraded use of X-ray technology and multiple imaging angles, CT scans are excellent at visualizing bones, blood vessels, and tissues in great detail. They can show fractures, dislocations, and other bone abnormalities, especially calcifications (the formation of calcium deposits, such as in the case of kidney stones or arterial plaque). 

CT scans are also reliable for investigating injuries resulting from trauma, such as accidents or blunt force. They are also useful for seeing specific lung conditions like pneumonia, emphysema, embolisms, and lung cancer.

Which One is More Expensive?

MRI scans cost more than CT scans due to the cost of the equipment, the materials necessary, and the specialized expertise behind their operation. MRI machines are larger and bulkier, and they need a spacious, specialized room due to their size and their use of strong magnetic fields. 

CT scans, on the other hand, are more compact and come with fewer specialized components.

In the United States, the price points for MRI and CT scan procedures can vary depending on several factors and considerations, such as the location or specific regions within the United States where the procedures will be performed, the specific hospital or health center delivering the procedure, and the particular insurance and insurance policy of the patient.

As of 2024, an MRI costs between $400 and $12,000, while a CT scan costs between $300 and $6,750. The price range already takes into account the state-to-state variation in pricing, the health center administering the procedure, the body area being scanned, and varying insurance coverages.

The Similarities and Differences Between an MRI and a CT Scan

Here is a table that may further help you understand the similarities and differences between an MRI and a CT scan:

Get the Best Viewpoint for your Health with Craft Concierge

Much like MRIs and CT scans offer a detailed look into your body, Craft Concierge provides a clear view of all your healthcare options. 

To sum up the confusion on what is the difference between MRI and CT scan: MRI uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of soft tissues, while CT scans use X-rays to create cross-sectional images, ideal for assessing bones and detecting certain conditions. 

But whatever procedure is ordered by a doctor, or whatever procedure you are currently deeming to be necessary for some certainty over your health and wellness—it does not have to be an anxiety-inducing and uncomfortable experience. 

Craft Concierge helps people step into their procedures confidently, easily, and conveniently through our team of committed health experts who walk you through each process, personalize your healthcare and treatment plans, and calibrate the best health plan for you and your loved ones. 

Our membership offers access to the best services and health centers through convenient appointments and unlimited guidance throughout. Just like your MRIs and CT scans, we ensure a detailed viewpoint of your health, ultimately aiming to keep you at an advantage. Contact Craft Concierge today to begin your journey with us!