Difference Between MRI and PET Scan

MRI vs PET Scan

MRI and PET are the two diagnostic techniques involving non-invasive techniques.

MRI
“MRI” stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This is a non-invasive technique which makes use of a magnetic field to produce complete and extensive images of the internal organs. An MRI is used to monitor physical conditions as cancer, tumors, and cardiac problems.

This technique makes use of the magnetic field and the radio waves. The radio waves are made to strike the tissues which produce a contrasting image when reflected back from the organ under examination. The person under examination is placed under strong, super-cooled magnets in the machine which then captures images of the affected part of the body. These are devised to precisely distinguish between healthy and diseased tissues.

An MRI is used to produce detailed images of most of the organs. It is used to diagnose problems such as; abnormal flow of blood due to arterial blockages or any other kind of injury. It is also used in finding out abnormalities related to the osseous tissues be it bone or cartilage.
An average MRI scan lasts for about 20 minutes to 50 minutes depending on the complexity of the organ under consideration. There are a number of images taken of the problematic organ.

PET
“PET” stands for Positron Emission Tomography Technique. This technique has been constantly in use since as late as the early 1950s.
The PET scan is also a non-invasive technique making use of a tracer liquid inserted intravenously, inhaled, or swallowed by the patient in the body. This tracer liquid flows with the plasma throughout the body. A camera is installed which keeps track of the charged particles of the tracer liquid. The tracer liquid is a radioactive material.
The PET scan makes use of nuclear medicine. This technique also determines the proper functioning of the vital organs of the body. With this procedure, the sugar metabolism and oxygen use of the body may also be judged.
This scan is mainly used in the determination of the nervous system disorders as in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It is also used for hard-to-detect cancers and their spread in the body. The PET scan takes about half an hour.

Summary:

1.An MRI makes use of the magnetic field and radio waves while a PET scan makes use of radioactive material.
2.The images produced by an MRI are extensively organ specific while that of a PET scan are not so detailed.
3.An MRI is used to determine tissue damage while a PET scan is used to diagnose blood flow and functioning of the organ.
4.An MRI captures the structure while a PET scan captures the activity of the tissues.
5.An MRI distinguishes between healthy and diseased tissues while a PET scan distinguishes between living and dead cells.

Sharing is caring!