Radiology Practice Test

Which of the following is a limitation of MRI compared to CT scans?

1. MRI is faster and more accessible

2. MRI is non-invasive and does not use radiation

3. MRI has limitations with patients who have certain implants

4. MRI provides better bone imaging

The correct answer is: MRI has limitations with patients who have certain implants

MRI does have specific limitations when it comes to imaging patients with certain implants. Many metallic implants, such as pacemakers, some types of orthopedic hardware, or cochlear implants, can be affected by the strong magnetic fields used in MRI. This can either pose a risk to the patient or interfere with the quality of the images produced. In contrast, CT scans do not use a magnetic field and are generally safe for patients with these types of implants, making them a more suitable choice in such cases. The other options highlight advantages of MRI compared to CT but do not pertain to a limitation. MRI is indeed faster and accessible in certain settings, it is non-invasive and does not expose patients to ionizing radiation (which is a benefit rather than a limitation), and while MRI offers better soft tissue contrast, it does not provide superior imaging of bone compared to CT. Thus, the focus on implant compatibility clearly establishes the limitation of MRI in this context.