MRI VS CT: Which scan do you need and how much does it cost for a private scan

MRI VS CT: which scan do you need? And how much does it cost privately?

 

Uncertainty is tough, especially when it comes to your health. It can be really overwhelming, and hearing your doctor request a CT scan or an MRI can add to your worry. You're not alone in this. Every year, over 7 million CT and 4 million MRI scans are performed in the UK, yet many patients leave even more confused with numerous unanswered questions. How do these high-tech machines differ? Why do the prices vary so much? Are there any risks to those scans?

CT and MRI are both tools to look inside the deeper layers of your body without surgery, but they differ in technology, different uses and have distinct advantages and disadvantages. CT uses X-rays, typically faster, making it the gold standard in an emergency. MRI uses radio magnetic waves, has no radiation and produces more detailed images, especially of soft tissues.

 

What Is a CT scan?

 

How it works

A CT (Computed Tomography) scan creates its images by using an X-ray tube that emits a narrow beam of X-rays around the patient's body. As the X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed differently by different tissues. This X-ray tube keeps rotating around the patient, capturing multiple images from various angles. Finally, the computer using complicated algorithms reconstructs them into detailed images or "slices" of the body, which can be viewed individually or combined to create 3D images.

Depending on the scan's goal, a contrast agent may be needed to improve the visibility and differentiation of internal structures that might otherwise appear similar on a standard CT scan.

o   Typical uses

    • Strokes
    • Fractures
    • Internal bleeding
    • Cancers
    • Guiding surgical procedures

 

What Is an MRI Scan?

 

How it works

It's a 2 step mechanism. First, the powerful magnetic field of the MRI will align the hydrogen protons in the body. Once that's done, bursts of radio waves are sent that will disturb this alignment. This movement of protons, which depends on the tissue, is detected and then sent to a computer that uses this data to reconstruct a highly detailed image.

 

o   Typical uses

·       Brain and Neurological imaging

·       Exploring Joints, ligaments and muscles

·       Functional and metabolic imaging

·       Staging and monitoring tumours

 

When to Choose Which - Key Differences –

 

    • One of the key differences is the use of ionising X-rays in CT scans, whereas MRI uses radio-magnetic waves, making it safer for multiple and repeated use.
    • Speed is another difference. CT scans usually take around 15 minutes, while MRI scans take over half an hour. This makes CT scans more efficient in emergency situations.
    • Image detail: MRI is superior for exploring soft tissues, such as the brain, spinal cord, joints, organs, ligaments, and muscles. CT is excellent for anything related to bones and blood vessels; it's also very good for detecting internal bleeding, making it a very important tool for facing traumas.

o   MRI requires the body to be still, so it's not the best for organs that are constantly moving, like the lungs; the CT does a better job in this case.

    • Contraindications: the strong magnetic field of the MRI makes it unsuitable for patients with metallic implants or devices.

While a CT scan is suitable for most people, it uses ionising radiation, which is generally contraindicated for pregnant women unless it's an absolute necessity.

Also, CT is not recommended for people with poor renal function and thyroid conditions if a contrast agent is going to be used. This agent is filtered by the kidneys and in most cases based on iode which can aggravate certain thyroid conditions. The same goes for patients known to have allergies to the contrast agents.

 

2.      Preparing for Your Scan

 

For the CT, It depends on which part of the body is going to get scanned, but in most cases, it's very minimal. It includes:

·       Removing any metal objects, such as jewellery, clothes with metal zips...

·       You may be asked not to eat or drink for a few hours before your scan.

·       Potentially stopping certain medicines before the procedure, such as metformin if you have diabetes. If a contrast injection is needed, your doctor should give you instructions on what to do and how to do it.

·       For abdominal and pelvic scans, you may be asked to have a special drink before the scan. This helps to show up the stomach and bowel more clearly.

For an MRI, there is even less preparation; you can eat and take your medications as normally as usual. Just make sure:

·       Wear comfortable clothes, as you'll need to stay still for some time; movements can blur the images. Just make sure it doesn't have any metal in it.

·       Remove anything that can interfere with the MRI magnet like jewellery, watches, hairpins, dentures, hearing aids, underwire bras and anything containing metal.

·       If you are claustrophobic bringing a friend for support might help, sedation might also be offered.

·       While new MRI machines are less noisy, MRI scans are known to be loud and can cause discomfort. Ask for headphones or earplugs at the scan centre.

 

Private Costs in the UK

 

o   What drives price differences

Prices of both MRI and CT scans differ by a large margin, This wide difference in the prices goes back to mainly these factors:

·       Body part and the number of regions scanned: Larger and/or more complex areas require longer scan times and that adds to the costs.

·       Use of contrast agents: contrast material and extra scanning time needed increase the price.

·       Technology used: some clinics have newer better machines or specialised ones like 3T MRI machines, CT coronary angiography and for that, they charge a premium.

·       Location: as with anything else, it usually costs more in major cities and less in the outskirts, this goes back to the demand being higher in metropolitan areas.

·       The experience of the radiologist.

 

o   Prices for private pay:

For CT, it costs anywhere between £400 and over £550. As for MRI prices, they are around       £350-450 pounds for simple ones, but they go up depending on the factors mentioned above.

 

FAQs

 

    • Can I just book myself? - For some scans, a GP or specialist referral may be required.
    • How long until I get results?- The scan itself doesn't take longer than 30 minutes to an hour in most cases, while for the results, you'll have them within 1 week on average, depending on the centre.
    • Is it painful? - No, no pain at all. MRI can be loud and, for some, claustrophobic, but it is not painful.