Ultrasound and CT Scan (Computed Tomography) are two of the most widely used medical imaging techniques. The techniques use different principles to generate an image for diagnostic purposes.
For diagnosing head and neck ailments, tests that use radiation are always less desirable than those that don’t. CT uses significant radiation and MRI a lower amount, but ultrasound is a non-invasive, non-radiating technique. It does not require injection of radioactive contrast material and has no side effects. Two issues associated with CT scans are the frequent repetition of scans – increasing radiation exposure, and the high cost of the CT scan compared to the ultrasound. While the ultrasound take more time and are usually not used for bony structures. Instead they are used for internal organs of the body.
A major advantage of CT is that it is able to image bone, soft tissue and blood vessels all at the same time, as well as provide good details about bony structures. Recent studies confirm that ultrasound imaging can contribute to accurate diagnosis and patient safety while reducing the costs of healthcare at the same time.
Although ultrasound is not the investigation of choice for every neck pathology, it is adequate for diagnosis and assessment of treatment options for most of these conditions. Ultrasound can not only locate a lesion, it can provide information about its size, consistency, and relation to other organs, as well as other features.
The basic principle and advantage behind a CT scan relies on the reconstruction of a 3D image of an organ, by a computer, after acquiring multiple X-ray images of it. These images are obtained by passing multiple beams of X-rays through the region of interest at different angles.
CDI, the Center For Diagnostic Imaging in Miami, offers Ultrasound and CT Scan options at their various locations: Aventura, North Miami beach and South Dade.
Please call 1 (800) 371.0002 or visit http://www.cdimiami.com/
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