CT v's MRI scan & cost

[Transmitter Man]

Can someone tell me advantages and or difference between the above. I'm not fan of the CT scan but wonder if it's results can show up problems that an MRI cannot, or visa versa for that matter?

Is an MRI available on the NHS and any idea of cost of going private?

I lead a healthy lifestyle but having reached sixty I feel it's time for a thorough MOT.

A quick Google brought up this: http://www.diffen.com/difference/CT_Scan_vs_MRI which pretty much answers my own questions.

No radiation = more cost as I thought.


Phil

Edited by Transmitter Man on Wednesday 30th March 19:40

[Patch1875]

I had a colon CT scan recently cost through Bupa was just over 1k.

[andySC]

My Girlfriend came a cropper on her bike she separated her shoulder & needed various scans. The cost of MRI & CT were the same, £540 each, exactly double the cost of a X-ray. This is what the hospital charged AXA.

[zeDuffMan]

I work in CT and MRI. They are very much complementary scans, they are good for different things.

A "general MOT" would be better off in a CT scanner. An MRI whole body scan isn't really done.

I would avoid having a "general MOT" scan though. If you have a family history of a certain type of cancer and you are genuinely concerned then you could push for a scan on the NHS and it be a justifiable dose of radiation. If not and you have no symptoms, it would be a complete waste, or it would find something totally incidentally that is too small to characterise and you'll be put through a series of tests (other scans, biopsies, follow ups to check for development, etc) for what will probably be nothing. As long as you don't ignore potential red flag symptoms it's unlikely anything will sneak up on you.

If there's nothing wrong with you, you won't get a scan on the NHS. There's too many sick people to be filling the scanners up with healthy ones.

I've lost count of the completely normal scans I've done on private patients that are completely healthy but feel like they need to check up, just in case.

Edited by zeDuffMan on Wednesday 30th March 22:42

[IanMorewood]

Having had both re the same condition the doctors seem to think they do different jobs of a similar type but either or both may be inconclusive. As the surgeon eventually stated we have a good idea what we will find now but nothing beats an eyes on.

[Riley Blue]

I had both last week after being admitted to A&E with extreme dizziness and nausea. It was thought I had either suffered a minor stroke, possibly at the top of my spinial column, or had a dose on labrynthitis (interestly one of the ambulance crew had taken in someone with the latter the previous week). The A&E doctor asked for a CT scan though that proved inconclusive i.e. they couldn't rule out a stroke from it and I was moved to EMU from where I was taken for a CT scan - not an altogether pleasant experience; very confined, noisy, vibrates, lasted about 20 minutes (I've had radiotherapy for prostate cancer in the last couple of years so scanners don't usually bother me).
It being Easter, there was no one available to look at the MRI scan result for a day or two but as so as it was seen by a consultant, a stroke was ruled out and I was able to return home i.e. the MRI scanner was the better diagnosis tool.

[Transmitter Man]

Thanks for all the responses.

Opened my eyes somewhat to the differences in the two types of scan.

zeDuffMan,

I hear what you say but have reached that age (60) where I'm aware it's a good idea to check the prostate and possible other organs for wear, tear and correct operation.

What options are there for checking the prostate?

Phil

[mph1977]

zeDuffMan said:

I work in CT and MRI. They are very much complementary scans, they are good for different things.

A "general MOT" would be better off in a CT scanner. An MRI whole body scan isn't really done.

I would avoid having a "general MOT" scan though. If you have a family history of a certain type of cancer and you are genuinely concerned then you could push for a scan on the NHS and it be a justifiable dose of radiation. If not and you have no symptoms, it would be a complete waste, or it would find something totally incidentally that is too small to characterise and you'll be put through a series of tests (other scans, biopsies, follow ups to check for development, etc) for what will probably be nothing. As long as you don't ignore potential red flag symptoms it's unlikely anything will sneak up on you.

If there's nothing wrong with you, you won't get a scan on the NHS. There's too many sick people to be filling the scanners up with healthy ones.

I've lost count of the completely normal scans I've done on private patients that are completely healthy but feel like they need to check up, just in case.

Edited by zeDuffMan on Wednesday 30th March 22:42

This seems to be something that radiology and radiographers seem to struggle to communicate to the public ( like so many other health messages that the relevant professionals struggle to communicate)

there is no hierarchy of imaging - this is not helped by the way in which the professional kickballists seem to engage in MRIs of anything beyond a grazed knee where if someone turns to up A+E/ minor injuries with a knee injury they are only going to get a plain film initially and then only if they meet the ottawa knee rule criteria

and
-there needs to be an answerable question to justify any imaging regardless of modality - which is where some of these private 'MOT' scans offering CTs and USS as 'screening' seem to fall down

[Riley Blue]

Male finger or female finger...

[dave_s13]

If you have no physical symptoms but just reached a certain age then it's not too inappropriate to want a once over, especially if there's a family history of anything.

Body scans are just not indicated though, my GP was happy to do the basic BP checks and blood screening for organ function and lipids when I went in for something else and mentioned my dad had essential hypertension and high cholesterol.

So, just ring your gp surgery and ask if they do a "well man" type of check up.

Oh an I had an MRI brain scan last year, it's not a pleasant experience at all.

[mph1977]

Transmitter Man said:

T<snip>.

What options are there for checking the prostate?

Phil

the best test for prostate abnormalities, is digital rectal examination, followed if necessary by biopsy ...

[zeDuffMan]

Transmitter Man said:

What options are there for checking the prostate?

Phil

(I'm not a doctor, but from my experience...) As above really, digital rectal examination from your GP. If it seems enlarged or doesn't feel right they will refer you to hospital for blood tests (PSA) and if necessary, a prostate MRI (this is a one hour scan that cannot be sped up for claustrophobic patients, to give you some idea of why a full body MRI is not done). If suspicious this will lead to a biopsy and a full body CT to look for disease spread.

[HotJambalaya]

I paid £200 for an MRI of my foot in central London. If you're flexible on the times you can get it cheap. You needed a referral.

Www.london-imaging.co.uk

[Transmitter Man]

Dave & Co,

Once again many thanks for the advice.

I now have a plan and will seek out the Well Man route.

Phil

[dave_s13]

HotJambalaya said:

I paid £200 for an MRI of my foot in central London. If you're flexible on the times you can get it cheap. You needed a referral.

Www.london-imaging.co.uk

That's different though as I assume you've got something wrong with your foot.