Which is better, mri or ct scan, when trying to detect what's the nature of a cervical swollen lymph node? is a ct scan of neck a lot of radiation?

Clinical issue: Choice of imaging study will depend upon what is being looked for. The best way to approach finding out what this is, is to biopsy it, but the diagnostic approach may be to assess first the extent of involvement and other areas which may also have structural abnormalities. Ct carries a fair amount of radiation but may be necessary under these circumstances, and one ct not likely to be harmful.