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Originally Posted by pebblebeach2
Hi. Really not sure what to recommend. For one thing though I was always taught that an MRI is better then a CT scan. Gives better details when trying to determine what is wrong. Right or wrong I don't know but that is always what I was taught.
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They each have their advantages and disadvantages. CT scans are better for bone & calcifications, while MRIs are better for soft tissue imaging.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRI#MRI_versus_CT
Insurance companies are clamping down on MRIs nowadays. A few years back, some doctors were ordering them at almost every whim (because they
are a good diagnostic tool and saved time) but they are also very expensive compared to other forms of imaging.
Now doctors have to jump through ins. co. hoops, trying less expensive tests first, and only ordering MRIs if still/truly warranted.
The downside to CT scans (IMO) is the radiation exposure, which can be 30 -50+ times that of a chest x-ray.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ct_scan#Typical_scan_dose
Since the exposure is cumulative, one or several over the course of a lifetime is probably of little concern, but many, especially within a short period, can have adverse effects and raise the risk of some cancers. This is another reason some doctors and patients prefer MRIs, which do not involve radiation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ct_scan#Adverse_effects
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