Any idea what problems show up in a cat scan that wouldn't have shown up in numerous MRIs?
Any idea what problems show up in a cat scan that wouldn't have shown up in numerous MRIs?
Not an expert but MRI doesn't really show soft tissue very well, cat scans do a better job of showing soft tissue issues. So, in my non-expert opinion, soft tissue problems would show up on a cat but not mri. Or vicey versy, totally not an expert.
It is perhaps useful to understand how they work.
MRI is a powerful magnet that makes all the hydrogen molecules in your body spin the same direction, then read the signal when the molecules go back to regular direction. This information is used to create images, that are effectively slices through the part being examined. Generally better for soft tissue, increasingly used for more stuff, very sensitive for bone infections for example.
CT(computed tomography) works by taking a series of radiographs/xrays. Target stays still, xray tube moves. Series of 2 dimensional images manipulated to give 3 dimensional representation, generally better for bone. CT gives you a fairly good dose of xrays.
There are specialized MRI and CT studies that are done for various things, to assess blood flow, or look at targets for by pass surgery.
MRI would not have generated the data needed to model and 3D print this titanium mouse skeleton. The resolution is amazing. No mouses were harmed in the making of this model....Somewhere I have the picture of the actual mouse going nose-to-nose with his metal skeleton.
In reply to NOHOME :
That is pretty impressive, I doubt she'll let get a 3D print of her lower half lol. I'm hoping it's nothing serious but new friend waiting for back surgery had a cat scan Wednesday, went for a Covid test today and was sent right to the ER for some tests. Google turns up lots o cancers. My mother in law says I'm a jinx, she may not be wrong.
In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :
Man, there's nothing else I can say except I'm sorry and good luck. You deserve some.
In reply to Duke :
Thank you
Wally, I really REALLY hope that it’s nothing serious and just tests out of an abundance of caution. Prayers for both your friend and you.
Error404 said:Not an expert but MRI doesn't really show soft tissue very well, cat scans do a better job of showing soft tissue issues. So, in my non-expert opinion, soft tissue problems would show up on a cat but not mri.
Actually, the main reason an MRI is used is to look at soft tissue, especially differentiating between different soft tissues. A CT scan is basically highlighting the differences between densities of tissue, so a bone in the middle of muscle will show up very well, but if two organs of similar density are touching (intestines touching muscle, for instance), determining where one stops and the other starts can be very hard. An MRI looks more at the chemical makeup of the tissue (specifically, how the protons are affected by a magnetic field) so it can show different types of soft tissue very well. A CT scan of your knee will show great detail of the bones surrounded by soft tissue, but you're not going to be able to pick out a torn ligament from cartilidge and muscle, while an MRI is going to show an incredible image of the soft tissue, if that's what that particular test is designed to show. As Toebra mentioned, MRIs can be programmed to show many different things, so often a single MRI imaging session will include several different scans of the same area to highlight different things.
You can also give the patient getting a CT or an MRI contrast agents designed to highlight different things, so while a regular CT scan won't show a liver tumor very well, you can give the patient a type of contrast and the tumor will be very visible. An MRI would also have shown the tumor and could actually be used to identify the specific type of tumor.
Wally, we're all sending our good thoughts and prayers your way.
berkeley!! She won't come out and say it but it's sounding like possibly a cancer. Being transferred to a third hospital this time in Manhattan.
In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :
Wufff. I'm sorry to hear that. Best of everything to you both.
In reply to Duke :
Thanks, my therapist is earning their money this week.
Wally (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to Duke :
Thanks, my therapist is earning their money this week.
What 'cha doing tomorrow at 7:30 pm?
Could be free therapy on your situation . Could also be complete escape from your situation and onto other topics. Either way, it could be great.
If wanting to join, at 7:30 am, go to page 1 of that thread and click the top link.
Wally, please accept my apology for the completely useless post...I'm 56 going on 10.
In reply to John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) :
We'll see how tomorrow goes, thank you
In reply to RX Reven' :
No need to apologize, I would do the same thing.
In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :
Things merely start at 7:30. Could go 2 hrs. People enter and leave over that time period. So, if you're running late, jump in any time.
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