CT Scan vs. Ultrasound: There are various types of tools used to treat and diagnose illness. Ultrasound and CT scan are two imaging techniques widely used for medical purposes. If we look at CT Vs. ultrasound, the main difference between CT scan and ultrasound is in their exposure. During a CT scan, the patient has to go through the scanning system and be exposed to radiation; while ultrasound doesn’t have any radiation procedure, the whole process is based upon sound waves and echo.
Let’s take a closer look at CT Scan versus Ultrasound:
| Radiation Exposure | CT scan use radiation exposure while ultrasound don’t |
| Cost | CT scan is more expensive if we compare CT versus ultrasound |
| Time Duration | CT scan completed in 5 minutes while ultrasound takes almost 15-20 minutes |
| Usage | CT scan uses x-ray for imaging, while ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves. |
Table of Contents
What is CT Scan?
CT scan is a computed tomography scan in which a patient has to go through a scanning system that uses x-ray to allow doctors to inside the patient’s body. This scan creates 3D images of the organs of the interior body. A computer merges all the images into a single high-resolution image, making the view clear for the doctor. This CT scan can be used for number diagnosis and can be very helpful in examining internal injuries in case of an accident.
What is Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is basically medical sonography that uses high-frequency sound waves to develop images. Ultrasounds are mainly used to see the fetus’s development during pregnancy and also to diagnose kidney stones. In ultrasound, the sound wave travels through soft tissue and fluids, hits the organ, and then bounces back to produce an image. Some people get confused about X-rays and ultrasound, as both can show the body’s internal parts. But the main difference between X ray and ultrasound is that ultrasound shows internal organs while X-ray includes bone, teeth, jaws, lungs, throat, and other structures.
6 Key Differences Between CT Scan and Ultrasound
| Components | CT Scan | Ultrasound |
|---|---|---|
| History | CT scan was first invented in 1972 by an engineer Godfrey Hounsfield and Allan Cormack. At first, it can only provide images of the head. | The ultrasound technique was first used by Dr. George Ludwig to detect gallstones, and later in 1957, Dr. Ian Donald used it for fetal images. |
| Functionality | CT scan uses an X-ray, which enters the body to produce images of internal organs. | In ultrasound sound, sound waves enter the patient body and produce an image when bounced back. |
| Details of Soft Tissues | Ct scan can provide a detailed image of the bones, soft tissue, and blood vessels simultaneously. | Some ultrasounds with advanced technology may be able to show the images of soft tissues. |
| Detail of Bony Structure | CT scan can provide excellent detail about the bony structure | Ultrasound can not show a clearer image of a bony structure; it is used for internal organs mostly |
| Price Range | CT scan may cost $1200, or $2300, depending upon a patient’s condition. | Ultrasound costs half if we compare ultrasound Vs. CT scan, it costs $100-$1000 |
| Advantages | CT scan can provide detailed visual information about the interior of a patient body. It can be beneficial in detecting internal injuries. | Ultrasound can be very effective in detecting stones in the kidney or gallbladder; it also provides information about the fetus during pregnancy. |
Abdominal Ultrasound vs. CT Scan
Both CT scan and ultrasound can be used to detect acute abdominal conditions. But if we look at CT scan Vs. Ultrasound abdomen, ultrasound can provide more information about the abdomen, while CT scan may miss fewer cases than ultrasound. CT scan and ultrasound can also be used to detect cancer. But in CT scan Vs. ultrasound for cancer, the CT scan can provide more information as it shows an image of bones, tissue, and blood vessels.
CT Scan vs. Ultrasound Pros and Cons
CT Scan Pros and Cons
Pros of CT Scan
- CT scan can provide a clear image of the patient’s internal body structure. And not only to a specific organ, but it can also show all the bones and tissues.
- CT scan can be beneficial in detecting internal injuries, abnormalities, and cancer cells.
- Ct scan can also be combined with other techniques like MRI for greater precision.
Cons of CT Scan
- CT scan can cost from $1,200 to $3,200, depending upon the patient’s medical condition.
- The use of X-Rays in CT scans can cause the risk of certain medical conditions like colon cancer and leukemia.
Ultrasound Pros and Cons
Pros of Ultrasound
- Ultrasound is the best option to check fetus development during pregnancy, avoiding many pregnancy-related problems like premature birth.
- Ultrasound is much cheaper than other medical techniques used to detect any abnormalities inside the body like CT scan or MRI.
Cons of Ultrasound
- Ultrasound can not show the bony structure of the patient’s interior body; it can only be used to see images of internal organs.
- Increased exposure to ultrasound waves can heat up the tissues, leading to mechanical disturbance in the body.
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
FAQs
How Does Ultrasonography Differ From Radiology and CT Scan?
Ultrasonography can not provide an image of a bony structure. While radiology and CT scan are specific tools for that.
Which Is More Accurate, CT scan or Ultrasound?
CT scan can provide accurate screening for certain diseases like tumors, internal injuries, and other abnormalities inside the body.
Is A CT Scan More Accurate Than An Ultrasound?
CT scan can provide accurate results when detecting diseases like tumors, but when it comes to ultrasound Vs. CT scan abdomen, ultrasound can show authentic images of the abdomen.
Which Is Better, CT Scan or Ultrasound?
Both play an essential role in detecting the diseases; CT scans are better for detecting tumors and other internal abnormalities, while ultrasound is better for detecting fetus development and medical conditions like gallstones or kidney stones.
What Is the Difference Between an Ultrasound and A Sonogram?
An ultrasound is a tool that uses sound waves to provide a picture of the inside body, while a sonogram Is a picture given by ultrasound.
Conclusion
As the number of diseases is increasing daily, the number of tools and instruments to detect and treat these illnesses is also increasing. There are many different tools and techniques which are used by doctors like MRI, ultrasound, and CT scan. If we talk about CT scan Vs. MRI Vs. ultrasound. All of these are different tools but are used to check the internal abnormalities of a patient. CT scan or ultrasound both can provide images of internal organs of the human body but with a different procedure. CT scan uses x-ray.
