Are their any health risks assocated with CT or MRI?
CT scanning does carry with it the risks associated with X-Ray exposure. CT procedures are typically estimated at 1 to 10 mSV, far below cancer inducing levels (200 mSV). MRI has no known associated health risks. However, people with pacemakers, aneurysm clips, or other implants that contain magnetic materials may not be candidates for MRI testing. MRI offers superior soft-tissue contrast, excellent visualization of vascular structures, fewer artifacts, and imaging in any plan. MRI is best put to use in examining the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). It can also be used to identify tumors, strokes, degenerative diseases, inflammation, infection, and other abnormalities in organs and soft tissue of the body. MRI scans require the patient to be very still for extended periods of time and generally is a more expensive exam as compared to CT scans.
