A CT (or CAT) Scan or Computed (Axial) Tomography has some major differences compared to the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

CT has a major advantage in being able to provide accurate images of bones, blood vessels and soft tissue simultaneously. CT doesn't have other effects on the body as it is painless and non-invasive. It is suited for cancer detection, lung and chest images, bone injuries. CT is usually used in emergency rooms, as the scanning time is less than 5 minute, while an MRI might take up to half an hour.

Unlike CT, which uses x-rays to generate images of the body, MRI is based on magnetic resonance. MRI is suited to examine various medical conditions, as it can provide much more soft tissue detail than a CT scan. It is used for brain tumors, ligament and tendon injury, spinal cord injury and other.