Different Imaging Tests Explained

CT Scan
CT scan uses a series of x-rays to create crosssections of the inside of the body, including bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues.
What to Expect: You will lie on a table that slides into the scanner, which looks like a large doughnut. The X-ray tube rotates around you to take images.
Imaging Method: Ionizing Radiation
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Used to Diagnose:
- Bone fractures
- Tumours and cancers
- Vascular disease
- Heart disease
- Infections
- Used to guide biopsies
- Aneurysms
- Injuries from trauma
MRI
MRIs use magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and tissues in the body.
What to Expect: You lie on a table that slides into the MRI machine, which is deeper and narrower than a CT scanner.
Imaging method: Magnetic Waves
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Used to Diagnose:
- Brain Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Stroke
- Spinal cord disorders
- Tumours
- Blood vessel issues
- Joint or tendon injuries
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of organs and structures within the body.
What to Expect: A technician applies gel to your skin, then presses a small probe against it, moving it to capture images of the inside of your body.
Imaging Method: Sound Waves
Duration: 15 – 25 min
Used to Diagnose:
- Gallbladder disease
- Breast lumps
- Genital/prostate issues
- Joint inflammation
- Blood flow problems
- Monitoring pregnancy
- Used to guide biopsies
PET Scan
PET scans use radioactive drugs (called tracers) and a scanning machine to show how your tissues and organs are functioning.
What to Expect: You swallow or have a radiotracer injected. You then enter a PET scanner (which looks like a CT scanner) which reads the radiation given off by the radiotracer.
Imaging Method: Radiotracers
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Used to Diagnose:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s Disease
X-Ray
X-rays are quick, painless tests that produce images of the structures inside your body especially bones
What to Expect: you will lie, sit, or stand while the X-ray machine takes images. You may be asked to move into several positions.
Imaging Method: Ionizing Radiation
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Used to Diagnose:
- Bone fractures
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Infections
- Breast cancer
- Swallowed items
- Digestive tract problems
Advanced facilities and imaging tests are available at Regency Hospitals in Kanpur and Lucknow.
