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Patient guide · Cross-sectional imaging

MRI & CT scans, choosing between two of medicine’s most powerful imaging tools.

A patient guide to help you choose between MRI (radiation-free, sub-millimetre soft tissue) and CT (fast, high-detail, especially for lung, vascular and trauma). Includes indications, contrast options and safety.

See indicative pricing
A consultant radiologist reviewing MRI and CT images in a private London clinic

Key facts

  • 01

    Definition

    A menu comparing MRI and CT — two of medicine’s most powerful cross-sectional imaging tools, each with distinct strengths.

  • 02

    No ionising radiation (MRI)

    MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses — no X-ray dose, safe for repeat scans.

  • 03

    Faster, better for some tissue

    CT is measured in seconds and remains first-line for lung parenchyma, acute bleeding, bone trauma and vascular emergencies.

  • 04

    Both allow IV contrast

    Iodinated contrast for CT, gadolinium for MRI — sharpens vascular, tumour and inflammatory findings.

  • 05

    MRI needs a metal-safety check

    Implants, pacemakers, cochlear devices and metal fragments are screened for compatibility before entry.

  • 06

    Consultant radiologist reports

    Every scan is reported by a sub-specialty consultant radiologist — not the technician who acquires it.

Indicative pricing

What a private MRI or CT scan costs in London.

Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.

In short

A standard MRI or CT in our network: £350–£1,200, with reports typically within 24–48 hours.

Scan type Indicative range
CT scan — single region (non-contrast) £350–£600
CT scan with IV contrast £500–£900
MRI — single region (non-contrast) £450–£850
MRI with gadolinium contrast £650–£1,200
Cardiac MRI £900–£1,800
PET-CT (staging) £1,600–£2,400

Prices vary by scanner (1.5T vs 3T MRI, slice-count for CT), whether contrast is added, and whether same-day reporting is required. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.

The diagnostic pathway

From clinical question to report — what happens, in order.

One clinical question, one modality choice, one consultant radiologist — often within days.

  1. 01

    Before

    Consultation and clinical question

    A specialist frames the exact question — cancer staging, joint injury, brain lesion, vascular disease — that the scan must answer.

  2. 02

    Before

    Choose CT or MRI (or both)

    Modality is chosen on evidence: CT for lung, trauma and vessels; MRI for soft tissue, brain, spine, joints and pelvis.

  3. 03

    Before

    Prepare per modality

    Fasting for CT with contrast, renal-function bloods, and a metal-safety questionnaire for MRI. We handle the logistics.

  4. 04

    On the day

    Change into a gown

    Any metal — jewellery, belts, underwiring — is removed. Cannula sited if contrast is planned.

  5. 05

    On the day

    The scan itself

    CT takes seconds to a couple of minutes. MRI takes 20–40 minutes — enclosed, noisy, but painless. Headphones are provided.

  6. 06

    After

    Radiologist reporting

    A sub-specialty consultant radiologist reports the images — neuro, musculoskeletal, body or cardiothoracic — depending on the study.

  7. 07

    After

    Structured follow-up

    Results are discussed with your referring specialist, with onward MDT, biopsy or surgical pathway if the scan changes management.

Typical end-to-end: 3–7 days. Urgent cases: same day.

What they show

When MRI or CT is the right test.

Each modality answers a different clinical question — these are the presentations we see most often across our imaging network.

  • CT — lung, vascular, trauma, staging

    First-line for pulmonary nodules, PE, aortic disease, acute trauma and oncological staging.

  • MRI — soft tissue, joints, brain, spine, pelvis

    Sub-millimetre resolution for tendons, ligaments, cartilage, cord, disc, pelvic organs and brain parenchyma.

  • Cardiac (MRI)

    Cardiac MRI characterises myocardial scar, viability, cardiomyopathy and congenital disease.

  • Prostate (MRI)

    Multiparametric prostate MRI is the standard of care before biopsy in suspected prostate cancer.

  • Cancer staging (CT or PET-CT)

    CT chest-abdomen-pelvis or PET-CT stages most solid tumours and directs oncological treatment planning.

  • Interstitial lung disease (CT)

    High-resolution CT is the reference standard for characterising fibrosis and interstitial lung patterns.

  • Multiple sclerosis (MRI)

    Brain and spinal MRI with gadolinium is essential for diagnosis and monitoring of MS lesions.

  • Red flag: acute stroke, ruptured AAA — 999

    These are emergency pathways. Do not wait for a private slot — call 999 immediately.

After the scan

What happens next depends on the finding.

The scan is a means to an answer, not the answer itself — these are the pathways it opens.

  • Reassurance if normal

    A high-quality normal scan is a clinically valuable answer — often it is the point of the study.

  • Structured follow-up imaging

    Interval CT or MRI at defined intervals to monitor nodules, lesions or post-treatment change.

  • MDT review

    Complex or malignant findings are discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting before management is set.

  • Biopsy planning

    Cross-sectional imaging guides the safest and highest-yield route for percutaneous or endoscopic biopsy.

  • Surgical planning

    Surgeons use volumetric CT or MRI datasets to plan resection margins and reconstruction.

  • Radiotherapy planning

    CT and MRI datasets underpin modern radiotherapy planning — SBRT, IMRT and proton therapy all rely on them.

  • Genetic counselling

    Where imaging suggests a hereditary cancer syndrome, referral for germline testing and family counselling follows.

  • Structured surveillance

    Long-term imaging surveillance for treated cancers, aneurysms, cysts and post-operative anatomy.

Our vetted London network

A small panel of imaging centres, we picked them.

Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.

Selection criteria

How we choose every clinic in our imaging network.

A modern London imaging suite with a current-generation MRI and CT scanner
Consultant radiologists

  • Consultant radiologists sub-specialising in the body region scanned

  • Modern 1.5T or 3T MRI and 64-slice-or-higher CT scanners

  • ALARA radiation-dose protocols and full metal-safety screening for MRI

  • Sub-specialty reporting — neuro, MSK, body, cardiothoracic — matched to the study

Red flags and safety

When imaging is urgent, and when it can wait.

Some presentations are emergencies that belong in A&E — not a private booking. Others need urgent, but scheduled, cross-sectional imaging.

  • Acute stroke

    Sudden neurological deficit is a 999 call. Emergency CT or MRI is the first step in the stroke pathway.

  • Ruptured AAA

    Sudden severe abdominal or back pain with collapse — emergency CT angiogram, not a private slot.

  • Bowel perforation

    Acute abdomen with free air on CT is a surgical emergency.

  • Suspected malignancy

    Any new mass, unexplained weight loss or bleeding warrants urgent staging imaging under specialist care.

  • Contrast anaphylaxis

    Rare but serious reaction to iodinated or gadolinium contrast — clinics screen for prior reactions and asthma.

  • Contrast-induced nephropathy

    Renal function is checked before iodinated contrast; hydration and dose adjustment mitigate risk.

  • Post-operative complication

    Fever, collapse or unexpected pain after surgery is a same-day CT question, not a routine appointment.

  • Sepsis workup

    Source identification in sepsis often needs urgent CT; deterioration means resuscitation first.

  • High cumulative radiation dose

    Repeated CT accumulates dose over a lifetime — MRI or ultrasound alternatives are considered where possible.

Reading your report

An MRI or CT report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A consultant radiologist reviewing MRI and CT images on a clinical workstation at a UK private clinic

A quiet reminder

The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.

If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and clinical context

    Your details, the clinical question, and the prior imaging that informs interpretation.

  2. 02 Technique

    Modality, sequences and contrast

    Scanner, protocol, sequences (for MRI) or phases (for CT), and whether contrast was administered.

  3. 03 Findings

    Systematic anatomical description

    Region-by-region description of the scan, including measurements, comparison to prior imaging and incidental findings.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    Ranked diagnoses, the concrete next step, and whether MDT review or further imaging is recommended.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about MRI and CT scans.

Quick answers on when to choose MRI over CT, contrast, safety, metal implants and report turnaround.

  • What is the difference between MRI and CT?

    CT uses X-rays and is fast — seconds to minutes — with excellent detail of lung, bone, vessels and acute bleeding. MRI uses a strong magnetic field with no radiation, takes 20–40 minutes, and gives sub-millimetre resolution of soft tissue, brain, spine, joints and pelvic organs. The right choice depends entirely on the clinical question.

  • Which is safer — MRI or CT?

    MRI has no ionising radiation, which makes it safer for children, pregnancy and repeated scans. CT delivers a small X-ray dose that is justified when the clinical answer requires it. Both use contrast agents that carry small risks, screened for in advance.

  • Do I need contrast?

    Contrast — iodinated for CT, gadolinium for MRI — is used when it materially changes the diagnostic yield: vascular studies, tumour characterisation, infection and inflammation. Renal function and allergy history are checked first.

  • How long do MRI and CT scans take?

    A CT scan is typically 5–20 minutes door-to-door and the scan itself takes seconds. An MRI is typically 30–60 minutes, of which 20–40 minutes is spent inside the scanner.

  • Can I have an MRI with metal in my body?

    Most modern surgical implants — orthopaedic plates, dental work, coronary stents — are MRI-safe. Pacemakers, cochlear implants and metal fragments in the eye need specific clearance. A metal-safety questionnaire is completed before every MRI.

  • How quickly will I get my report?

    CT reports are typically issued within 24 hours; MRI reports within 24–48 hours. Urgent studies are reported same-day, with the consultant radiologist available to discuss findings with your referring specialist.

Sources

The guidelines behind this page.

Reviewed against the current standards used by radiologists in the UK and internationally. Next scheduled review: 2027-07-30.

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In practice, in London

The London pathway for MRI and CT scans

With MRI and CT scans, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, MRI and CT scans typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.

The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics — Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf — means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For MRI and CT scans specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

Where a good concierge earns its keep is in the matching. There are dozens of consultants in London who see MRI and CT scans — but not all of them are the right fit for every case. We narrow it down based on subspecialty, insurer coverage, the specific question being asked, and whether continuity into treatment matters. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.

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