What is the difference between a CT scan machine and an MRI machine? Thanks!?
If you are asking about the machine shape, yes, the MRI is the tunnel that is 6ft long and the area being scanned must be in the middle of the machine. The are open MRI’s but there is a large draw back to them and that is their magnet is significantly small usual 0.3T vs 1.5 – 3T. The size of the magnet affects the quality of the exam. The open MRI scanners use a design that is morel like a sandwich and your the meat. The side of the scanner is open, hence the difference in kind of magnet used and the strength of the field. There is no radiation what so ever in a MRi exam, no gad does not have radiation. MRI does great soft tissue imaging with or with out contrast inhancement. We can see the Brain structures and spinal cord better than CT. We also see ligaments, cartilage and tendons better that a CT scanner. Draw backs are very load while scanning: must wear ear pugs. And the claustrophobia. The CT scanner is more like a giant donut, that we run you through the middle.
