Is CT or MRI better for bone?

MRI gives better contrast than CT, making it possible to study the relationship to the soft tissues, bone marrow and joints more accurately. On the other hand, CT gives a better picture of the destruction of cortical bone.
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What is the best scan for bones?

Computed tomography (CT) scan

A CT scan uses a combination of x-ray machines and advanced computers to create a 3D image of your body. They provide far more detailed images than a plain x-ray, displaying solid organs, soft tissues and any abnormal growths as well as your bones.
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Which is more accurate CT scan or bone scan?

CT scans of the bones can provide more detailed information about the bone tissue and bone structure than standard X-rays of the bone, thus providing more information related to injuries and/or diseases of the bone.
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Can a CT scan detect bone problems?

A CT scan of the bones may be used to look at your bones for damage, lesions, fractures, or other problems. A CT scan can also look at joints and soft tissues, such as cartilage, muscles, and tendons. It is helpful in staging cancer, too.
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What does CT show better than MRI?

Both MRIs and CT scans can view internal body structures. However, a CT scan is faster and can provide pictures of tissues, organs, and skeletal structure. An MRI is highly adept at capturing images that help doctors determine if there are abnormal tissues within the body. MRIs are more detailed in their images.
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The Difference Between A CT And MRI - Bellevue Medical Center



Why would a doctor order a CT scan instead of an MRI?

Doctors order CT scans more often because CT scans are less expensive than MRI but still provide quality images. CTs are relatively quiet, whereas MRIs are quite noisy. A CT scan is faster and can create generalized images of tissues, organs, and skeletal structure; MRIs take longer, but provide clearer pictures.
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Can a CT scan miss a fracture?

In summary, missed rib fractures are not uncommon, and radiologists should be familiar with buckle fractures that are frequently missed on imaging scans. Additional coronal images can be helpful in the diagnosis of missed rib fractures that are not viewed on axial images.
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Can MRI see bones?

In orthopedics, an MRI may be used to examine bones, joints, and soft tissues such as cartilage, muscles, and tendons for injuries or the presence of structural abnormalities or certain other conditions, such as tumors, inflammatory disease, congenital abnormalities, osteonecrosis, bone marrow disease, and herniation ...
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Does a CT scan show bone density?

A bone density scan is a diagnostic radiology exam used to measure bone mineral content and mass. This is usually performed with an X-ray, called a DEXA scan, or with a computed tomography (CT) scan of the bones.
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Can MRI detect bone fracture?

However, many types of bone problems look alike on bone scans, so the test isn't specific for stress fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed images of your bones and soft tissues. An MRI is considered the best way to diagnose stress fractures.
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Will an MRI show osteoporosis?

MRI has a role in detecting osteoporosis that the appearance of bone marrow is determined by its relative amount of protein, fat, water, and cells on MRI pulse sequence.
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Is a bone density scan like an MRI?

Unlike a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a computerised tomography (CT) scan, a DEXA scan doesn't involve being enclosed inside a tunnel or a ring, so you won't feel claustrophobic. Instead, you lie on your back on a flat and open X-ray table.
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What type of scan is a bone scan?

Overview. A bone scan is a test that uses nuclear imaging to helps diagnose and track several types of bone disease. Nuclear imaging involves using small amounts of radioactive substances (radiotracers), a special camera that can detect the radioactivity and a computer to see structures such as bones inside the body.
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What kind of imaging is a bone density scan?

A DEXA scan is a type of medical imaging test. It uses very low levels of x-rays to measure how dense your bones are. DEXA stands for “dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.” Medical experts consider DEXA scans to be the most useful, easy, and inexpensive test for helping to diagnose osteoporosis.
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What is the difference between a bone scan and a CT scan?

A CT scan is a high-resolution X-ray that gives detailed information about organ anatomy. A bone scan is a nuclear imaging test that aids in the diagnosis and tracking of several bone diseases. A CT scan uses a combination of X-rays and a computer to create images of the bones.
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What does not show up on a CT scan?

Examples of conditions that we would not diagnose on CT scan or ultrasound include viral infections ('the stomach flu'), inflammation or ulcers in the stomach lining, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis), irritable bowel syndrome or maldigestion, pelvic floor dysfunction, strains ...
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What are the disadvantages of a CT scan?

In general, a CT scan has the advantage of short study time (15 to 20 minutes) with high quality images. However, disadvantages include the need for ra- diation exposure and the use of a contrast material (dye) in most cases, which may make it inappropriate for patients with significant kidney problems.
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Can you have a CT scan and a bone scan the same day?

Bone Scan, Skeletal Imaging

You will be given an injection of a radioactive material and asked to return in three hours. Once we begin, imaging will take approximately one hour. If a CT scan is scheduled for the same day, an IV line will be placed prior to the injection for the bone scan.
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What is a full body bone scan called?

A bone scan (skeletal scintigraphy) helps to diagnose and evaluate a variety of bone diseases and conditions using small amounts of radioactive materials called radiotracers that are injected into the bloodstream.
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Why would a doctor order a bone scan?

A doctor may order a bone scan to: identify bone cancer. determine whether cancer from another part of the body has spread to the bones. locate hidden bone fractures that do not appear on X-rays.
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Can you see osteoarthritis on an MRI?

MRI can clearly identify some of the signs of osteoarthritis, including whether cartilage is wearing away. MRI can also detect signs of rheumatoid arthritis, but a doctor will also use a variety of other tests, such as blood tests. Doctors can distinguish between soft tissues and fluids using MRI.
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What does osteoporosis pain feel like?

Sudden, severe back pain that gets worse when you are standing or walking with some relief when you lie down. Trouble twisting or bending your body, and pain when you do. Loss of height.
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Can MRI detect old fractures?

In addition, depending on the presence or absence of the change of signal intensity and the altered patterns, accurate delineation of pathological areas can be confirmed by MRI. Furthermore, new fracture, old fracture and degenerative lesions can be differentiated because of MRI's good resolution.
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Is CT or MRI better for compression fracture?

Finally, CT scanning is the best test to visualize fractures of the posterior elements and laminae of the neural arch. A study by Karaca et al indicated that dual energy CT scanning is comparable to MRI with regard to identifying vertebral compression fractures after acute trauma.
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Will a CT scan show a compression fracture?

CT Scans. If an X-ray image reveals a spine compression fracture and a doctor needs to see the spine in more detail, he or she may recommend a CT scan. CT scans use a series of X-rays to create two- and three-dimensional images of the spine so that doctors can examine the fractured bone from many angles.
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