MRI as a Superior Soft Tissue Contrasting CT - Essay Example

MRI has superior soft tissue contrast than CT Introduction Modern medicine provides people with numerous opportunities for possible diagnostics or treatment. There is no doubt that in the face of a great number of existent technologies, it is desirable to choose between the most popular ones and consider every particular technology with respect to a certain medical case (Hendrick 2008). In the modern world of diagnosis, laboratory examination is much preferred even before the patient would be served with a particular dose. The laboratory examination helps to identify the patient’s problem and confirms the doctor’s prescription. Among the laboratory examinations that are done at the laboratory include scanning and testing of the patients’ specimens. Scanning is usually done under two common approaches: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging scan is diagnostic radiology tool has seen a high rate of development than any other imaging methodology. This technology involves the use of a strong magnetic field (Herring 2007). This field is used to modify some properties of electromagnetic activity of atomic nuclei. This process leads to a release of energy that comes out as radiofrequency signals. The scanner which is attached to the generating equipment records the signals and later sends them to the computer for image processing. When our bodies are exposed to the radiofrequency signals, their gene structure is least affected. MRI is used to evaluate the nuclei of the body cells. Its scanners are based on hydrogen nuclei since they are abundant in the human body. Due to electrical property of the current, the flow of this current in the body causes the body protons to gain some charges (Hashemi et al. 2010). These charges results to magnetic field in each proton. Since the protons are usually spinning within the body, when a patient enters the MRI scanning equipment, all the magnetized protons get aligned. The equipment is usually made up of the magnet that is kept at an appropriate temperature which does not hinder the flow of electricity. Protons are usually excited and thereafter produce a fading signal that is detected by the receiver (Herring 2007). MRI scanners are the most important and appropriate for soft tissues scanning. This claim has been often promoted by many researchers and scientists, but there are still many controversies concerning this technology. Whether to pay more for MRI or less for Computerized Tomography (CT), who can answer this question? On the other hand computer tomography is a technology that uses x-rays only to penetrate and scan the affected body tissues (Weiss 1997). The x-rays are produced from fast moving electrons which are accelerated by the cathode to strike a target. Since X-rays are known to cause very harmful side effects to the human body, it is always advisable to use MRI to scab soft body tissues. Unfortunately, there is a high price for MRI scanning and it is better for some patients to pay 2-3 times less for CT scanning. In addition, creating a magnetic field around bones and other body parts sometimes do not give good scanning results. In this case, CT becomes much applicable since x-rays are known to penetrate bone with a lot of easy. Therefore one will find it appropriate to use either the two methods depending on the situation that is at hand. Another striking difference between MRI and CT lies on the method of image production. Whereas CT makes use of ionizing radiations to scan and examine the tissues, MRI makes use of magnetic field for the same (Hashemi et al. 2010). CT is associated with DNA alteration in the body part that is irradiated. This leads to double strand breaks which mean that the gene responsible for expression is modified. This does not happen when MRI is applied. With MRI, there is no any effect to the gene structure (Shabshin et al.2010). Both of these have different applications for different demands. For instance a patient that requires tumor detection and identification in the brain, MRI could be preferred. Under almost similar requirements, a patient with solid tumors of the abdomen and chest will use CT since it suffers less from motion artifacts. In addition, of the two methods, CT is usually preferred, faster and less expensive (Lauerman 2002). MRI Compares to CTA Nevertheless, there are numerous advantages of MRI over CAT. Firstly, X-rays are often criticized and considered to be hazardous for human health. MRI implies a magnetic field in its scanning (Nagel & Kroenke 2008). Secondly, MRI is more effective with soft tissues. This is because stronger magnetic fields can penetrate soft tissue and scan without causing hazardous effects as compared to x-rays. This is why MRI is usually considered to be safer as compared to CT. A patient who undergoes CT scanning is subject to DNA modification in the body part that is irradiated. The x-rays that are used to scan the body have ionizing effect such that there is a possibility of cellular DNA alteration. In worst scenarios, x-rays can do away with the epigenetic makers of the DNA which are responsible for gene expression. This may cause straying of the cell from its normal design of operation (Shabshin et al.2010). If this situation is permitted to continue, it may lead to cell death, cancer or even other health conditions. This is why it is advisable to use MRI especially when the patient is expected to undergo several successive scans in a short time interval. This reduces the chances of the patient getting exposed to hazardous ionizing radiation. In spite of this, there is one caution that is supposed to be considered. If the patient has any type of medical implant or even deep brain simulators, then it is totally not advisable. This is because, this scenario may lead to malfunction or heat up during a scan. In this case, CT may be considered to be safer. There is need to consider and evaluate when it is appropriate to use either of the methods when dealing with soft tissues (Lauerman 2002). Some situations could be very dangerous and dictate the use of CT and not MRI. An analysis of the risks posed to a patient against the need of finance was done by Lawrence. According to him, an emphasis on reduction of risk in MRI scanning ought to be done: "The high returns reflect not risk but, rather, the need to financially tie in physicians to a particular MRI facility for referrals. The key to profitability of an investor-owned MRI facility is high use, and high use can best be accomplished with a steady stream of physician self-referrals" (Weiss 1997). Nagel and Kroenke (2008) outlined benefits of MRI in comparison with CAT on the following basis: MR based techniques measure electromagnetic signals, the same way, like radio antenna detects the same type of signals. A person is placed in a powerful magnetic field. Tissues under the influence of a magnetic field become magnetic. Partially, internal structure of tissues can be identified. MRI is positioned in the modern researches and studies as the most advantageous technology for scanning of soft tissues. According to Moller & Emil (1999), in spite of a high price of this scanning process, patients all over the world are looking forward to opportunity of being scanned by means of MRT. Conclusion Thus, it is safer to use MRI technology instead of CT. We can claim that magnetic resonance imaging scan is more advantageous than CT because it does not use X-rays. A magnetic force is developed in the body of a patient. A large magnet in a form of a tube deals with a human body and provides a beam, which scans a human body. A patient is transported inside a tube and he lies on a flat surface. Magnetic and radio waves from a patient’s body are interpreted through numerous channels of signals. High price of technology does not outweigh effective results of scanned results obtained in the result of MRI. References Hashemi, Ray H., William G. Bradley and Lisanti, Christopher J. 2010. MRI: the basics. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Hendrick, R. Edward. 2008. Breast MRI fundamentals and technical aspects. New York: Springer. Herring, William. 2007. Learning radiology: recognizing the basics. Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier. Lauerman, Lynn, ed. 2002. Science & Technology Almanac. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. http://www.questia.com/read/102055494. Möller, Torsten B., and Emil, Reif. 1999. Normal findings in CT and MRI. Stuttgart: Thieme. Nagel, Bonnie J. and Kroenke, Christopher D. 2008. "The Use of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Alcohol Research." Alcohol Research & Health 31, no. 3 : 243+. http://www.questia.com/read/1P3-1616145641. Shabshin, Nogah, Gil Zoizner, Amir Herman, Vlad Ougortsin, and Amit Gefen. 2010. "Use of Weight-Bearing MRI for Evaluating Wheelchair Cushions Based on Internal Soft-Tissue Deformations under Ischial Tuberosities." Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development 47, no. 1 : 31+. http://www.questia.com/read/1G1-227279593. Weiss, Lawrence D. 1997. Private Medicine and Public Health: Profit, Politics, and Prejudice in the American Health Care Enterprise. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. http://www.questia.com/read/6620338. Read More