Diagnostic Imaging: X-ray vs CT vs MRI vs Ultrasound
ultrasound
better with superficial structures
x-ray
cost effective
CT Scan
cross section axial view
x-ray
demonstrates bone origin pathology
x-ray
may need "shields"
MRI
metals can disrupt
MRI
signals send from tissues
bone scans
stress fractures
MRI
strong magnetic field and radiofrequency
CT Scan
superior resolution to x-ray
MRI
3D, great anatomical detail
CT Scan
CNS pathology
MRI
T1 vs T2 weighting; T2 less detail
x-ray
each tissue absorbs a different amount of radiation producing radiodense/radiolucent material
MRI
fat needs to be supressed (FSE, Inversion Recovery)
ultrasound
helps locate RC and RA
MRI
helps locate bone and soft tissue trauma and tumors
CT Scan
helps locate fracture and intraarticular and bone mineral analysis
CT Scan
helps locatebone/soft tissue tumor
x-ray
high chance of false negative
CT Scan
higher ionizing radiation dose than x-ray
x-ray
highly specific, not sensitive at ALL
MRI
movement reduces quality
bone scans
reveal level of radiopharmaceutical uptake