If you’ve undergone medical imaging, you may have had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or aCT (computed tomography) scan done. These diagnostic tools use different technologies to visualize different structures within the body. Your doctor may choose one over the other based on your specific injury or condition.
“Both CT and MRI are powerful tools,” said Dr. Toufic Jildeh, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at MSU Health Care. “I rely on imaging every single day to help me understand exactly what is happening inside a patient’s joint, muscle, or bone.”
Dr. Jildeh, who is the team physician of MSU Athletics and Chief of Sports Medicine and Director of Orthopedic Research at Michigan State University, sees a wide variety of injuries in his practice, from weekend sports mishaps to complex traumas. He says imaging plays a critical role in getting patients the right treatment quickly.
What a CT Scan Is Used For
CT uses radiation that goes through your body to see internal structures. It can be much faster than other types of imaging and can provide a lot of detail.
“I order CTs when I need the finest detail of the bone. For example, with acute fractures, complex joint fractures, displaced fragments, or when I’m planning surgery and need a 3D view of the bone, CT is fast and excellent at showing those tiny bone fragments,” said Dr. Jildeh.
When to Consider an MRI
An MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio frequency waves that go into your body. MRIs are commonly used to look at soft tissues.
“MRI is what I reach for when I want to look at ligaments, tendons, cartilage, menisci (in the knee), labrum in the hip and shoulder, the rotator cuff, and the bone marrow,” said Dr. Jildeh. “An MRI gives a very detailed picture, so it can often tell me if a ligament is torn — partially or fully, or whether there is swelling inside the bone that explains pain. This is a very wonderful adjunct to a good history and physical exam.”
Considerations
“Sometimes I use both. For example, if I have a patient with a complex knee injury, I may need to look at a CT to assess prior injuries or surgeries, and an MRI for ligament and cartilage damage,” said Dr. Jildeh.
Getting the right and clear imaging results can help you on the right path to recovery, treatment, and pain-free days. The MSU Health Care and McLaren Greater Lansing Outpatient Imaging Center use modern, state-of-the-art imaging technology with patient comfort in mind.
MRI machines used at the outpatient imaging center are all wide-bore, meaning they are larger and more spacious, helpful especially for those who deal with claustrophobia. They also use deep resolve technology, providing faster imaging and cutting scan rates down to half the time.
While CTs are known for their fast-imaging capabilities (from a few seconds to a few minutes), the CT machines at the Outpatient Imaging Center also provide the lowest radiation dose possible for the patient.
To learn more about the MSU Health Care at McLaren Greater Lansing Outpatient Imaging Center, located at the Izzo Family Medical Center, click here.
Dr. Jildeh performs orthopedic and sports medicine procedures at McLaren Greater Lansing. To contact his office, click here.
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