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It is impossible to imagine modern diagnostics without such imaging methods as computed (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). But many patients do not know how CT differs from MRI, and sometimes mistakenly believe that the difference is only in price.

Medical Diagnostics: CT or MRI? Specialist explains

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That is, if the MRI is more expensive, then it is more informative. In fact, two of these studies are based on various physical processes. Based on this, each of them is good at the study of certain pathologies.

So, in computed tomography, as well as in a conventional X-ray examination, the property of X-ray radiation is absorbed, depending on the density of body tissues. Just CT is a multilayer x-ray, and it gives the opportunity to three-dimensional research. It is suggested to first know the CT scan cost Delhi.

In MRI, a powerful magnetic field (nuclear magnetic resonance) is used. The tomography sends electromagnetic pulses, and the effect that occurs in the body is captured by the equipment and processed into three-dimensional images.

In what cases is CT diagnostics used, and in which cases an MRI scan is necessary?

The tumours of the brain and spinal cord, soft tissues are better visualized with MRI, however, in order to detect if there are metastases, CT. Computed tomography is also necessary for examining the skeletal system of the body and for identifying any pathologies of the lungs.

Everything else depends on the pathology. For example, degenerative pathologies of the brain, diseases of the spinal cord - these are MRI. Aneurysms of the arteries of the brain- CT angiography needs to be done to plan the operation further. The heart, coronary vessels are also examined using CT. Diffuse pathologies of the heart, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, etc. Already need to be examined with an MRI.

The tumours of the pelvic organs are mainly examined using MRI, but to detect the prevalence of the process, CT should be done- it is faster, cheaper and more informative. A CT scan with intravenous contrast is done. At high speed, contrast is introduced, it stains all the organs and structures that interest us, and makes it possible to differentiate different diseases.

In general, CT is a diagnostic method for studying very many pathologies, starting from the head, ending with the lower extremities. This can be either an urgent study – poly-trauma, dissection or rupture of aortic aneurysms, or planned: for cancer, when multiple organ studies are done to get all the information about metastasis, about dynamic changes after chemotherapy courses to plan further treatment. CT is also used for postoperative dynamic monitoring.

Cardiac surgery and invasive cardiology also cannot do without CT: a screening study of the coronary vessels of the heart is done to detect stenosis and dissection and other aortic diseases. CT, according to the specialist, is also used in bowel examination. Today contrast diagnostic test is done with filling the intestines with X-ray negative contrast for the study of all layers of the intestine.

A CT scan in best CT scan centre in Delhi is carried out for children from the first birthdays about heart defects, as well as intrauterine and birth injuries, congenital diseases. There is close cooperation with paediatric cardiac and neurosurgery.

Regardless of the context of discovery, a number of investigations must be performed to confirm the diagnosis of lung cancer and evaluate its stage.

The diagnostic balance is based mainly on:

• A clinical examination- The objective of the clinical examination is to make an assessment of your general condition using various means such as performance status, to identify your medical history and the pathologies you suffer from, to list your current treatments, your risk factors and your smoking addiction, if you smoke, to assess the possible frailty of elderly patients using specific questionnaires and scales.
• A chest x-ray- The purpose of this examination is to reveal the presence of abnormalities in the lungs. However, the X-ray does not make it possible to determine whether an abnormality discovered is benign or malignant. And, moreover, it does not always detect an anomaly, even if it is actually present in the lung.
• A chest scanner- It is a question of identifying the presence or absence of an anomaly and, if so, its size and location. This examination detects anomalies even of very small size (less than or equal to 3 millimeters). The scanner gives no indication of the type of cells in question. In the case of lung cancer, the CT scan done by the best CT scan centre in Delhi can identify if the nearby lymph nodes are abnormally large. But it does not make it possible to specify whether or not they are affected by cancer cells. Before going to have a CT scan, it is important to know the chest CT scan cost in Delhi.
• Biopsy. The biopsy makes it possible to recover tissue samples that seem abnormal for analysis and to determine whether they are of a cancerous nature or not. These samples can also be stored after the operation in a tumor library (tumor library) for further research.
• In some situations, it is not possible, before treatment, to obtain a histological diagnosis, which requires an analysis of tissues taken from the tumor. This is then performed during the surgical procedure. The operation then has a diagnostic and therapeutic purpose.

Bronchial fibroscopy

The bronchoscopy is the key diagnostic for lung cancers. It allows doctors to observe the inner wall of the trachea and bronchi, as well as to take samples at the level of suspicious lesions (biopsy).

These tissue samples are then analyzed under a microscope to confirm or deny the nature of the lesions. In the case of proven cancer, it is then possible to determine which tumor subtype is detected and thus to choose the most appropriate treatment.

Specifically, a flexible tube containing a miniature camera and sampling instruments is introduced into the bronchi, via the trachea and the patient's nose.

The examination is unpleasant, but it is not painful because it is performed under local anesthesia. It lasts 10 to 20 minutes. It is necessary to be fasting for at least two hours before the beginning of fibroscopy.

Due to the (low) risk of hemorrhage associated with the examination, it is recommended that you do not take aspirin within 10 days of the exam. People on anticoagulant therapy should report it.

It is more of a common problem that we face these days irrespective of what age bracket we come under. Waking up after a good night's sleep, we experience a certain kind of stiffness in the leg muscles in areas like ankles, calves and even knee caps. Commonly known as leg cramps, the pain is also known as “charley horse. The pain can be and can happen when a muscle gets involuntarily stiff and can’t relax. The condition is more of a nuisance as we age. If the pain gets to the unbearable ranges, a CT scan must be obtained to check what the condition and bone health are.

The reasons for leg cramps are quite a lot. Some of the common ones include:

• Lack of hydration- We have seen many a time an athlete is down on the ground due to a sudden leg cramp and muscle pull. This point to nothing but hydration. The liquid flow in the body is needed to keep the muscle's constituent's intact.
• Lack of adequate nutrition- It is a necessity to have a balance of electrolytes (calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium) for the contraction and relaxation of a muscle. But the same should not be done by self-treating with supplements. If you take an excess of food supplements, it can be harmful. Hence, you must focus on the simplicity of the food eating whilst maintaining an intake of mostly complex nutrients which are not processed.
• Side-effects due to medication- Some medications such as statins and furosemide can also cause muscle cramps. It has been frequently observed among the suffering people that they complain of cramps in the legs when they begin taking a new medication. If the problems persist, consult your doctors immediately.
• Poor blood circulation- A certain amount of daily activity can improve the circulation of the entire body including that of the legs. Lack of walking or even excessive leg activity for that matter can cause hurt in your legs. Therefore, the initial bout of pain in the legs should not be ignored and must be consulted with an orthopedic doctor.
• Ignoring exercises like stretching- After a long hour of sleep, the body does tend to develop uneven postures that can add to the problem of leg cramps. One should not start off without a stretching exercise to ease the muscles before a strenuous day.

One of the most important things that we tend to forget is the fact that our muscle for legs does most of the balancing act. It is the legs that carry the weight of the entire body. Therefore, even a bit of discomfort in the leg muscle must not be ignored. For the problems that are impending for long should be tested in an MRI scan to figure if these are ominous signs to something threatening. Seek the services of the MRI scan centers in West Delhi which can obtain clear images of the concerned area.