Contrast medium
The advantages of an MRI examination are primarily the lack of radiation exposure, the possibility of three-dimensional imaging, high-quality soft tissue imaging and low dependence on the examiner, as well as good reproducibility of the examination findings. The disadvantages of an MRI examination, on the other hand, are the high cost and time involved, the more frequent occurrence of artifacts in imaging as opposed to CT, the susceptibility of the device and imaging to metallic objects (absolute contraindication: pacemakers), the narrow tube that can cause claustrophobia, the risk of camera shake and the volume generated by the knocking sounds of the device. The advantages of a CT examination are the good resolution, the wide availability, the lower costs (in contrast to MRI) and the shorter examination time. The disadvantages of the CT examination are almost exclusively limited to the radiation exposure that occurs (absolute contraindication: pregnancy). The editors also recommend: MRI for overweight persons
Differences in costs
Both MRI and CT are quite expensive examinations, as the technical equipment is very expensive to buy and operate. MRI is generally more expensive than CT, which is partly due to the lower availability and greater examination effort. The costs for a CT examination are calculated according to the German physicians’ scale of fees (GOÄ), whereby they depend on the region of the body shown in each case and only cover the purely technical imaging, but not the associated consultation and any additives such as the administration of contrast agents.
A CT scan of the abdominal cavity costs approx. 151.55€, that of the chest 134.06€ and that of the head 116.57€. The MRI examination is also calculated according to the GOÄ and depends on the body part to be examined: an MRI of the abdomen, the pelvis and the head costs – without consultation and additional costs – 256.46€, an MRI of the chest 250.64€ and the spine 244.81€.
It should be noted that the calculation according to the GOÄ is only applied to private patients, whereas the costs for the examination of patients covered by health insurance are calculated according to the Uniform Assessment Scale (EBM) and are usually somewhat lower. If there is a justifiable indication for the MRI or CT examination, the costs are in most cases covered by the respective health insurance companies.
