what is a ct scan
CT Scan vs. MRI. A CT Scan (or CAT Scan) is best suited for viewing bone injuries, diagnosing lung and chest problems, and detecting cancers. An MRI is suited for examining soft tissue in ligament and tendon injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain tumors, etc. CT scans are widely used in emergency rooms because the scan takes fewer than 5 minutes. An MRI, on the other hand, can take up to 30 minutes. An MRI typically costs more than a CT scan. One advantage of an MRI is that it does not use radiation while CAT scans do.