MRI and CT Scan the differences
Summary
TLDRThis video script discusses various medical imaging techniques, focusing on CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans. CT scans use X-rays and a computer to create 3D images, while MRI scans employ magnetism for similar purposes. Both may use contrast mediums for enhanced imaging. PET scans, involving radioactive substances, are particularly useful in cancer diagnosis, often combined with CT scans for better visualization. The script addresses patient comfort, such as dealing with claustrophobia and noise during MRI scans, and the importance of removing metallic objects before scans. It highlights how these scans complement each other in providing detailed information for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Takeaways
- 🔍 **CT Scan**: A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses multiple X-rays and a computer to create a 3D image of the body's interior.
- 🛌 **CT Scanner Design**: The CT scanner features a moving couch that glides through a large hoop-shaped device, minimizing claustrophobia.
- 💉 **Contrast Medium**: A small needle is used to inject a contrast medium into the arm before the scan to enhance image clarity.
- 🔁 **Two Scans**: Patients undergo two scans, one for a general view and another for detailed imaging, each lasting about 20 seconds.
- 🧲 **MRI Scan**: An MRI scan uses magnetism to build a 3D image, and some patients may experience claustrophobia due to the narrow cylinder.
- 🚫 **Metallic Objects**: Before an MRI, patients must remove all metallic objects and inform the radiologist of any internal metal objects like pacemakers or surgical clips.
- 🎵 **Noise and Comfort**: MRI scans can be noisy, so headphones playing music are offered to patients to reduce noise and promote relaxation.
- ⏳ **Scan Duration**: An MRI scan lasts between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the area being scanned.
- 💊 **PET Scan**: PET (positron emission tomography) scans involve injecting a radioactive substance, often a form of glucose, to help identify cancerous tissues.
- 🔗 **Combined Scans**: PET scans are often used with CT scans to provide a more detailed and accurate image, especially in cancer diagnosis.
- 🔎 **Diagnostic Utility**: Ultrasound, CT, PET, and MRI scans each offer unique information and are often used in combination to diagnose and assess cancers effectively.
Q & A
What does CT stand for in medical imaging?
-CT stands for Computerized Tomography, a device that takes multiple X-rays from different angles and uses a computer to create a three-dimensional image of the inside of the body.
How does the CT scanner work?
-The CT scanner consists of a moving couch that slowly moves a person through a hoop-shaped device. It takes a series of X-rays to create a detailed, cross-sectional image of the body.
What is the purpose of the contrast medium used in CT scans?
-The contrast medium is a liquid injected into the body to enhance the definition of the scan, making it easier to distinguish between different types of tissues and organs.
Why do patients have to hold their breath during a CT scan?
-Patients are asked to hold their breath during the scan to prevent any movement that could blur the images and ensure the accuracy of the scan.
What is an MRI scan and how does it differ from a CT scan?
-An MRI scan uses magnetism to build up a three-dimensional image of the inside of the body. Unlike CT scans, which use X-rays, MRI scans do not involve ionizing radiation.
Why might some people feel claustrophobic during an MRI scan?
-The MRI scanner consists of a moving couch that moves a person through a cylinder that can be quite narrow, which might cause a feeling of claustrophobia in some individuals.
How can patients who suffer from claustrophobia be accommodated during an MRI scan?
-For patients with claustrophobia, open MRI scanners are available, which reduce the tunnel effect and provide a more open feeling during the scan.
What is the PET scan and how does it work?
-A PET scan, or Positron Emission Tomography, involves injecting a rapidly acting radioactive substance into the body. The scanner detects the radiation emitted by the substance, which can help identify areas of the body that are metabolically active, such as cancer cells.
Why is the radioactive substance used in PET scans important?
-The radioactive substance used in PET scans is important because it can highlight areas of the body that are metabolically active, which can be particularly useful in identifying cancerous cells or determining the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
How long does a PET scan typically take?
-A PET scan can take around an hour, including the time for the radioactive substance to be taken up by the tissues and the actual scanning time.
What is the role of ultrasound scans in cancer diagnosis and assessment?
-Ultrasound scans use sound waves to create images of the body's internal structures. They are often used to assess the size and shape of tumors, guide biopsies, and monitor treatment responses.
Outlines
🏥 Medical Imaging Techniques
This paragraph introduces various medical imaging techniques, focusing on CT (Computed Tomography) scans and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans. CT scans use multiple X-rays from different angles to create a 3D image of the body's interior. The process involves a moving couch that passes the patient through a large hoop-shaped scanner. Patients may experience an injection of a contrast medium to enhance the scan's clarity. The scan is performed twice, once for a general overview and once for detailed imaging. MRI scans, on the other hand, use magnetism to create 3D images. These scans can be claustrophobic for some due to the narrow cylindrical design of the scanner. Open MRI options are available for those who suffer from claustrophobia. An injection of contrast medium is also used in MRI scans. The paragraph also touches on the use of headphones with music to reduce the noise from the scanner. Lastly, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans are mentioned as a newer innovation, which involves the injection of a radioactive substance, often a form of glucose, to help identify cancerous tissues. PET scans are usually combined with CT scans for better imaging results.
🔎 Choosing the Right Scan for Cancer Diagnosis
The second paragraph discusses the decision-making process for selecting the appropriate imaging scan based on the type of cancer being investigated. It emphasizes that the choice of scan depends on the suspected cancer type, and that different scans provide different types of information. For instance, some cancers may be better visualized with CT scans, while others might require MRI scans. PET scans can offer additional insights, especially in distinguishing between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. The paragraph suggests that in some cases, a combination of scans or all three types might be necessary to gather comprehensive diagnostic information.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡CT Scan
💡Contrast Medium
💡MRI Scan
💡Claustrophobia
💡Metallic Objects
💡PET Scan
💡Radioactive Substance
💡Ultrasound Scan
💡Cancer
💡Lymph Glands
💡Scar Tissue
Highlights
CT scan uses computerized tomography to create 3D images from multiple X-rays.
CT scanner features a moving couch and a hoop-shaped device to capture internal body images.
Most people do not experience claustrophobia in the CT scanner.
A contrast medium is injected to enhance the definition of the scan.
The scanning process occurs twice for general and detailed views, lasting about 20 seconds each.
Patients are asked to hold their breath during the brief scanning period.
MRI scan uses magnetism to build 3D images, contrasting with CT's X-ray approach.
Some people may feel claustrophobic in the more narrow MRI scanner.
Open MRI scanners are available for patients with claustrophobia.
Metallic objects must be removed before an MRI scan due to its magnetic nature.
Patients with internal metal objects like pacemakers must inform the radiologist before an MRI.
An injection of contrast medium is also used in MRI scans.
MRI scans can be noisy, but headphones with music are provided to reduce the noise.
MRI scans last for 30 minutes to an hour.
PET scan stands for positron emission tomography and uses radioactive substances for imaging.
PET scans are often used in conjunction with CT scans for better diagnostic accuracy.
PET scans can help determine if a shadow on a CT scan is cancerous or not.
PET scans are also useful post-cancer treatment to assess the nature of remaining lumps.
The PET scanner is narrower than a CT scanner but wider than an MRI scanner, causing less claustrophobia.
A radioactive substance is injected about an hour before a PET scan to be taken up by tissues.
In cancer diagnosis, ultrasound, CT, PET, and MRI scans often provide complementary information.
The choice of scan depends on the type of cancer suspected, and combinations of scans may be used.
Transcripts
another frequently used scan is a CT
scan CT stands for computerized
tomography a device which takes many
x-rays from different angles and uses a
computer to create a three-dimensional
picture of the inside of the body the CT
scanner consists of a moving couch not
particularly narrow that slowly moves a
person through a hoop that has the shape
of a very large dut the vast majority of
people will not experience any sense of
claustrophobia you'll be helped onto the
scanner couch by the radiographer these
days most people go into the scanner
feet first before the scan starts a
small needle will usually be inserted
into your arm for the injection of a
contrast medium this is a liquid that
enhances the definition of the scan
you'll go through the scanner twice the
first time is to get a general picture
of the whole body and the second is to
obtain the detailed scan the actual
scanning only lasts about 20 seconds
during which time you'll be asked to
hold your breath a more recent
Innovation is the MRI scan an MRI scan
uses magnetism to build up a
three-dimensional image of the inside of
the body like the CT scanner the MRI
scanner also consists of a moving couch
this slowly moves a person through a
cylinder that can be quite narrow and
some people find that this gives them a
feeling of claustrophobia there are a
few Open MRI scanners available for
patients who suffer from claustrophobia
which reduce this tunnel effect you'll
usually go into the scanner feet first
the radiographer will give you a button
on the end of a wire so if you have any
concerns you can immediately alert the
staff you can also talk to the nurses or
radiographers while you're in the
scanner as the scan uses magnetism
you'll need to make sure you've removed
all metallic objects you'll also need to
tell the radiologist if you have any
internal metal objects such as a
pacemaker or if you have any surgical
Clips before the scan starts a small
needle is inserted into your arm for the
injection of the contrast medium while
the scan is taking place it can be noisy
as the scanner produces a repeated
knocking sound you'll be offered
headphones through which music will be
played it's okay you can choose the
music you prefer to help reduce the
noise and to relax you the scan lasts
for 30 minutes to an hour the latest
development in scans is the Pet Scan pet
stands for positron emission
tomography in this scan you're given an
injection of a rapidly acting
radioactive substance which disappears
from the body in a few hours the
commonest substance that is used is a
radioactive form of glucose a pet scan
is not as good as a CT or MRI scan
scanning giving a good three-dimensional
picture of the body and is therefore
usually used together with a lowd do CT
scan to help produce a better
picture sometimes a pet scan may be
combined with a full CT scan the
advantage of a pet scan is that the
radioactivity helps to tell what is
inside a shadow shown on a CT scan in
particular whether it is cancerous or
not for example a cancer may have
enlarged lymph glands near to it and it
may be uncertain as to whether they are
enlarged because of cancer or for
another reason the pet will often help
sort out this dilemma pet scans can also
be helpful after treatment for a cancer
to sort out whether a remaining lump is
active cancer or is just dead or scar
issue the pet scanner also consists of a
moving couch that slowly moves a person
through a short tunnel this is a bit
narrower than a CT scan but much wider
than a an MRI scan and most people don't
find that it causes
claustrophobia about an hour before the
scan starts a small needle is inserted
into your arm for the injection of the
radioactive
substance the time is necessary for the
radioactive substance to be taken up by
the tissues unlike the CT and MRI scans
you usually go into the scanner head
first you go into the scanner twice the
first time is to get the CT scan and the
second time to get the Pet Scan the CT
scan takes just a few seconds but the
Pet Scan takes around an hour in
diagnosing and assessing cancers
ultrasound scans CT scans pet scans and
MRI scans are often complimentary and
may give different information for
example for some cancers CT scans will
give more accurate information whilst
for others an MRI scan is better for
others a pet C scan gives the best
information so the choice of which sort
of scan is used depends on which type of
cancer is suspected or being
investigated often a combination of some
or occasionally all of these scans may
be used in an individual
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