Both MRI and X-ray are popular radiographic tests used in medicine for diagnosis of the insides of the human body. X-ray is the well-established technique that allows for looking inside the body in two dimensions, while MRI provides a much more comprehensive test. There are some substantial differences between MRI scanning and X-ray scanning. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Definitions
Getty Images/iStock/Sergey Ulanov
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a scanning technique that is used in medicine to differentiate tissues in a pathological state from tissues in a normal state. MRI allows for the finest quality of scanning and thus helps in solving a comprehensive range of medical problems. MRI is widely used for scanning of the human brain.
Getty Images/Image Source/Photo_Concepts
X-ray is the older of the two techniques. X-rays are very efficient when it comes to diagnosing pathologies in the bones and in soft tissues. Diseases that are well diagnosed with the help of X-rays include lung cancer and several types of kidney stones.
Comparison chart
| MRI | X-ray |
| Takes from 10 minutes to 2 hours to make a scan | Takes a few seconds to make a scan |
| Is applicable to a large variety of diseases and medical conditions | Is applicable for a limited number of diseases |
| Expensive. Costs from $1000 to $4000 | Affordable. Costs $ 100 on average |
MRI vs X-ray
What is the difference between MRI and X-ray? Let’s compare two scanning techniques in terms of speed of procedure, application and costs.
- An MRI procedure takes a relatively long time to perform, depending on the task. It may last from 10 minutes up to 2 hours. The X-ray scan is really quick in comparison. It takes only a few seconds to perform an X-ray.
- MRI is designed to evaluate deep-rooted diseases in the human body. Due to the excellent resulting resolution, MRI allows deep investigation into the soft tissues of the organism. MRI is a very efficient technique when it comes to such injuries as brain tumor or spinal cord injuries. By comparison, X-ray is sufficient when it is a matter of detecting broken bones. X-ray is insufficient when a deep examination of soft tissues is needed.
- MRI remains a relatively expensive technique and may cost from $1000 to $4000 depending on the problem it is supposed to reveal. X-ray is affordable and on average the price for this procedure is $100.