“Both are very high-end forms of imaging the body” he continues.

“CT uses X-rays, and we get cross-sectional images, whereas a normal X-ray would be a 2D image from the patient’s front or back.” 

A CT scan can look for many different things in the body including trauma, infection and tumour.

Meanwhile an MRI also gives cross sectional images, but they’re acquired with a high-field magnet.

“The soft tissue info is much greater” explains Dr Osborn. “The MRI is a more specialised examination, usually characterising something already shown in pathology. MRI can narrow it down from three or four possible causes.”

The MRI is also superior with musculoskeletal injuries, as well as looking at specific areas of the abdomen and pelvis.

“Answers that doctors would have wanted with the CT before, an MRI can now give” Dr Osborn revealed.

Comparing the two types further, “MRI is best for finding liver lesions in the presence of cancer. Women’s uterine scans with an MRI are better than with the CT.”

Additionally, “The MRI can be used if some abnormality is found with an ultrasound.” 

In this regard, MRI can also be used in the later stages of pregnancy, although only when clinically indicated. “From 20 weeks onwards we can scan the mum looking at the baby.”

With CT, “the machines are pretty much standard with all the brands. The doctor’s interpretation can be different, but the quality of images will be pretty much the same.”

Image quality from MRI machines can differ though, based on the strength of their superconducting magnet. “Ours is a higher field strength of 3 Tesla, whereas 1.5 Tesla is the standard.”

The higher the field strength of the magnet, the greater the detail in the images it produces.

Due to the magnet’s strength there are also a lot of safety measures required.

“You have to be scanned for magnetic metals before you go in. If you have certain electronic implants that also means you can’t go in.”

Garran Medical Imaging is a relatively new practice; started in July 2015 by Dr Kevin Osborn and Dr Iian Duncan.

“We saw the need for a smaller practice who had more of a patient focus” and for doctors to use as a better reference for diagnostics as well.

They told us that the drivers behind starting the practice were the technology – pursuing ever-higher quality images – and keeping it small in order to give more personalised service.

You can find out more by visiting garranmedicalimaging.com.au