Various methods

MRI is especially useful for visualizing:

• soft tissue
• bone marrow
• tumors and infections of the bones or soft tissue
• bone infarcts

MRI does not use any x-rays! A magnetic field is generated within the MRI unit; inside this magnetic field, the hydrogen atoms in the patient's body are measured, i.e. broken down according to number and distribution, and reorganized to produce an image.

CT is especially useful for visualizing:

• bony structures
• bone fragments in fractures
• foreign bodies

Like conventional radiology, CT uses x-rays. For this reason, this method should be used only when there is a very good reason for the examination. Despite this limitation, it is still far better to employ CT and obtain valuable diagnostic information than to decide against CT and not be able to make the right diagnosis.