Please explain difference between ct, mri, and pet scans. thank you?

Scans: Ct uses xrays and can visualize bone and soft tissue. Mri uses magnetic fields and can see soft tissue with much better detail if there is little motion. Pet scans are used to see tissue that is more active than surrounding tissue, looking for cancer or metastasis. It measures metabolic activity.

See below.: Ct shows anatomy, making a MAP of different tissue densities (eg, bone is denser than lung). Mri shows a combination of anatomy and physiology, and in a sense, makes of MAP of different levels of water content (pathology is often associated with edema/swelling). Pet shows physiology, making a MAP of different levels of metabolic activity. All of these "maps" of the body are displayed in 3d.

See below: Ct uses xray radiation to produced crispy images to show anatomy and pathology. The contrast/dye used in ct contains iodine and can show how tissues get brighter. Mri uses magnetic field to alter your body chemical structures to produce images. Pet uses a radioisotope (a particle injected into your vein) and show how body tissues take up the material and light up area where things are wrong.

Imaging tests: These all take images of your body in "slices". Ct uses radiation, like multiple x-rays. Mri uses magnets, and is very useful in characterizing soft tissue differences such as in the brain or joints, but also is more expensive and takes much more time. Pet is typically used for cancer imaging as it detects glucose usage by tissue (which is greater in tumors). Best i can explain in 400 letters!

Many differences: Mri (magnetic resonance) does not utilize ionizing radiation(ir) characterize tissues, extent of tumor, infection, damage to cartilage/ligaments.Ct (ir) can localize traumatic changes, tumors, appendicitis, kidney disease.Pet/ct (ir) combo isotope /ct finds subtle metastases and recurrent malignancy,