CAT scans are a form of x-Ray, mostly used for looking at bones and MRI uses magnets and radio waves to create the images; mostly used for soft tissue. People with metal implants and pacemakers should not have MRI's x

I think i'll talk about these questions out of order, it might make a bit more sense this way! First, an MRI and a CT scan are similar in their function - they both do an excellent job of looking inside a body and producing good images of internal structures. They can do this without having to cut someone open, which of course has obvious advantages over the old days when exploratory surgery was exceedingly common. However, the methods in which the two scanners work and what they can see is rather different! MRI, or magnetic resonance imagery basically works by exciting protons in the body, then picking up the "signal" they send off when they react. This is done with complicated magnetic technology. A CT scan is just a regular old x-ray, except that it spins around the patient, taking many many x-rays, which are combined together by computer. Because of these different technologies - each scanner does certain things better than the other. The MRI is best at looking at tissues with a lot of water content (because water is where we find the most protons). Soft tissue such as organs and muscles are far more visible on an MRI. Structures in the brain are also favorite targets of the MRI. The CT, being just an X-Ray, visualizes structures that are dense best. Bone is the obvious thing to talk about here - a CT will see bone very well, and the MRI will not (few free protons in a bone). Additionally, the CT scan is excellent at visualizing recent internal bleeding - this will show up bright white! CT is less good at visualizing old bleeding, and rather horrible at seeing dying tissue. MRI is just the opposite - it is great for looking at tissue that's deteriorated. This is why we often send a patient in a car crash to get a head CT, while we send someone hospitalized for a stroke to get a MRI. Now we look at costs - really, it'd be near impossible for me to quote you some numbers. For each number I give you, I'm positive 10 other people could find wildly different prices, and we'd all be right. Here's what I can say though - MRIs are bigger machines. They have much more sensitive electronics. They require bigger support structures to operate them. A typical MRI can take between 20 and 60 minutes, while the fastest CTs can operate in less than a minute! To sum that all up - MRI machines cost more and can see less patients a day - so each patient ends up paying more for an MRI than they would a CT. To finish off the discussion - side effects. MRIs do work with magnets - they'll rip any metal right out of your body. As a result, people who have any medical implants are not allowed to have a scan. Really, this scan is safe otherwise. CT is a bit more dangerous - it's an X-ray. It uses radiation that can damage your DNA, leading to cancer and other disorders. Granted, it takes a lot of exposures to cause damage, but this risk still exists, and is considered by the physician when ordering a CT. Alright, that's all for now! Hope it helps! --SP

my first MRI was about $1500 and my last one was $2500 because it was for more than one area......they're pretty pricey

I dont know the difference but I had an MRI about 5 years ago and it shows up muscle,tissue etc not just bone as in an xray. It wasnt pleasant for me as im claustophobic but it is pain free other than that. In the UK we dont have to pay because we get them free on our national health however I imagine they would be pretty expensive if we paid privately

We don't pay directly out of pocket for mri's in my country, however it takes forever to get an appointment.months and months,then many more months to see the specialist for the consultaion, then many more months to actually get the procedure done. What country am I from?

I just had 2 MRIs done at $1750 each.My insurance covered 70%.It can be expensive,but it needed to be done and I do like the freedom to pick my own doctor and that I don't have to wait forever to have certain tests done.Time is of the essence when you feel like shit.You will never hear me say that I want socialized medicine.I have had no side effects.Spinal taps though, are a different story.

Mrs. Anonymous says she pays her own way. But she was given a whole economic system when she was born, and other people built those schools and universities. We are all takers from the previous generation, and we should avoid getting on some high-horse that we did it all ourselves. Having operated a successful business for 15 years, I've seen plenty of people work hard and lose everything. Most new businesses fail. So, luck has a lot to do with it--being in the right place at the right time as I was. What we're reading from Mrs. Anonymous is the old disreputable "I've got mine and to hell with everybody else" philosophy. But I don't think the average American is buying that conservative BS anymore.

A woman from Canada wrote: I agree our system is not perfect but it is far better than what is in the US. I just spent some time in the US and was asked about our health care system, I told this person it was great. Yes you have to wait sometimes for specialist, but it also depends on where you live. I live in a rural area and recently had a mammogram at the request of my family doctor, the next day I received a phone call to come in right away for a follow up. Sure enough they had found some questionable spots within weeks I had surgery done and results within 14 days after that. I still have mammograms annually to check and are booked a week in advance. Health care should be for EVERYONE regardless of income, you should not get to the front of the line for care because you have money and NO ONE should have to lose their house or anything else to pay for health care!

I live in Alberta and had a MRI a year ago and it cost me $550.00, our insurance usually pays but I wanted it right away and found that if I paid I could have it done in days instead of a 10 month wait. I was wondering if anyone knows the price of a cat scan as I now need one of them because I had back surgery and now have medal so I can't have an MRI. Thanks anyone who answers. Cherrity

Scutpuppy did an excellent job of describing the procedures but left off the bill. An MRI is about $8000 around here. It varies a little depending on whether you need sedation, anesthesia or nothing. That is about what we pay for our daughter's MRI's with anesthesia, and MRA with contrast. So that is probably the high end. I haven't gotten the bill for my CT scan or MRI yet, so I can't help you with that.