X-ray vs CT Scan: Difference, Pros, and Cons
An x-ray scan, commonly known as radiography, is a diagnostic imaging method that creates pictures of bones and shows the skeletal structure in clear detail. Other imaging procedures, like CT scans, also employ x-rays to reveal the bones in even more detail, but they are more expensive and expose the patient to more radiation.
An x-ray machine fires an x-ray beam through the body to create a picture. Due to the abundance of calcium in bones, the beam does not penetrate bone tissue. The film is then affected by the passing beam, creating a picture of the bones. An x-ray image's darker and brighter parts correspond to the amount of radiation that was absorbed by the tissues as opposed to going through to the film.
The Pros of an X-ray include:
1. Easy to use: Most hospitals have this technology and in case of an emergency, it can be done easily
2. Medium Image Quality
3. Cheaper
4. For treating bone fractures
5. Non-invasive procedure
The Cons of an X-ray include:
1. Radiation risk
2. No detailed imaging
3. Short termed side effects like vomiting or fainting
A computed tomography scan is a type of medical imaging procedure used to produce in-depth pictures of the body's inside. The individuals who perform CT scans are known as radiologists or radiography technologists.
To measure the attenuations of X-rays by various tissues inside the body, CT scanners use a revolving X-ray tube and a row of detectors arranged in a gantry. Tomographic reconstruction procedures are then used to process the many X-ray data acquired from various angles on a computer to create tomographic (cross-sectional) images (virtual "slices") of a body. Patients who need a CT scan but cannot undergo an MRI do so because they have metallic implants or pacemakers.
The Pros of the CT Scan include:
1. Fewer Restrictions than an MRI
2. Comprehensive results and accuracy
3. Painless
4. Fast
The Cons of the CT Scan include:
1. Amount of the radiation that is used
2. Contrast issues
3. Not suitable for pregnant women
4. Expensive
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