CT, MRI, PET: What's the Difference? Exploring Neuro-Head and Neck Imaging > GENERAL HOSPITAL

“CT, MRI, PET… I know the names, but what's the difference?”

The world of imaging tests used for head, neck, and brain diseases is more complex than you might think.

So today, we asked Professor Kim Ji-hoon from the Department of Radiology at Seoul National University Hospital directly.

Shall we delve into the secrets of 'Neuro-Head and Neck Imaging,' a field that sounds unfamiliar from its name? ✨

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Professor, “Neuro-Head and Neck Imaging” sounds difficult from the name itself. What exactly does it cover?

⚕️ Professor Kim Ji-hoon:

The name is long, but it's simpler than you think.

‘Neuro’ refers to the brain and spinal cord, and ‘Head and Neck’ refers to the areas around the head, such as the nose, mouth, neck, ears, and eyes.

In other words, it's a field of radiology that looks at everything from the brain to the neck at once.

It's like managing all the important pathways of the head as one.

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Then why is it specifically called “Neuro-Head and Neck Imaging”?

⚕️:

Although the brain and head/neck are separate, they are functionally connected.

For example, inflammation in the nose can affect the brain, or abnormalities in brain blood vessels can cause problems with the optic nerve.

So, it's more efficient to look at related areas together.

Dementia is a major social issue these days. Can it be detected early with imaging?

⚕️ :

That's a good question.

MRI can show the form of diseases that cause dementia,

and ‘Amyloid PET’ scans directly detect the accumulation of ‘amyloid,’ the protein that causes it.

In simple terms, MRI is a ‘map,’ and Amyloid PET is a ‘red mark on the map.’

So, looking at MRI + PET together is very helpful for early diagnosis.

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What kind of tests should be done for sudden illnesses like strokes?

⚕️ :

In emergency situations, we always start with a CT scan.

It allows us to quickly and easily determine whether there is bleeding or not.

Then, we use MRI to precisely check for early changes in brain damage.

If CT is a ‘speed battle,’ MRI is a ‘precision battle.’

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Cancer is also diagnosed with imaging, right? How do you check for head and neck cancer?

⚕️ :

That's right. Head and neck cancer is located in a complex area,

so it's important to accurately determine the extent of the cancer in order to preserve speech and eating functions during surgery.

Therefore, we use FDG PET/CT to find areas where cancer cells use a lot of glucose.

This test is like looking at an ‘activity map’ of cancer.

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Do you also do imaging tests when there are lumps around the ears or neck?

⚕️ :

Yes, neck lumps can be seen most accurately with ultrasound,

and if one ear is constantly abnormal, we need to check the auditory nerve with MRI.

If both ears are uncomfortable, it's usually due to systemic causes (noise, medication, etc.),

but if only one is a problem, it's a good idea to get it checked.

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Many people are concerned about ‘radiation exposure’ when it comes to imaging tests.

⚕️ :

The X-ray dose of modern CT scans is very low.

In addition, AI technology has been introduced to automatically reduce radiation.

I can confidently say that the benefits of accurate diagnosis far outweigh the concerns.

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Finally, if you could summarize the essence of neuro-head and neck imaging in one line?

⚕️ :

“Imaging is the act of drawing a map of invisible diseases.”

Doctors use that map to find the right path and move towards treatment.

In the end, imaging is the ‘starting point’ of treatment. ????

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For more detailed information, check out Seoul National University Hospital TV!

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* The above data is a valuable asset of Seoul National University Hospital. Unauthorized use may be punished under copyright law.

* The medical information provided is general and does not reflect individual characteristics. For specific details, please visit a nearby hospital for consultation.

Source :https://blog.naver.com/chsnuh/224059142729

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