Ultrasound and MRI are non-invasive medical imaging techniques that produce still and moving images without radiation. Ultrasound uses sound waves while MRI uses a magnetic field, but both have advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes, doctors may use both techniques to get a more complete view of a patient’s body. MRI images are clearer, but MRI machines can be damaged by magnetic objects in the room, making ultrasound a better option for patients with implanted medical devices.
Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are two types of medical imaging that are used to give doctors a look inside the body. They work in different ways and each has some distinctive advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. Sometimes, a doctor may order imaging studies using both techniques to get a more complete view of what is happening inside a patient’s body.
These imaging techniques have a number of similarities, starting with the fact that both methods can be used to produce still and moving images of the inside of the body. Both procedures are performed without the use of radiation, which is a distinct advantage of these types of medical imaging. In the case of a patient who needs more imaging studies, ultrasound and MRI are preferable because the patient’s body is not at risk of damage from accumulated radiation. The techniques are also non-invasive or minimally invasive, depending on the specifics of the test. In some cases it may be necessary to inject contrast material or insert the transducer into the body to obtain a better image.
In the case of an ultrasound, the image is acquired by bouncing high-frequency sound waves from the body cavity. The sound waves are collected as they return, and the changes in frequency and angle are used to generate an image of the patient’s interior. With an MRI study, the patient is placed into a large chamber that generates a magnetic field, stirring up hydrogen atoms in the patient’s body. The MRI machine reads changes in the body’s magnetic field and uses these changes to build an image.
One major disadvantage of ultrasound is that it often has difficulty with blockages. Some parts of the body are difficult to visualize because thick bones or organs are in the way. In contrast, MRI images are very clear and sharp and can be taken along any plane of the body. Either way, the image quality can be very high with a good machine, and the use of a contrast medium can further improve visibility, allowing the doctor to see specific structures in detail.
The main problem with MRI is that the MRI machine will interact with magnetic objects in the room and these objects can cause damage to the machine. The patient needs to remove all magnetic objects on his person, but in the case of patients with implanted medical devices, the MRI machine may cause a problem. MRI studies are especially dangerous for people with devices implanted in or around the heart. In a case where MRI is not feasible, ultrasound may need to be used.
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