MRI and CT are not substitutes for plain X-rays and MRI is not a substitute for CT. Those who think that MRI is better than CT, clearer than CT, clearer than X-rays, or that CT is clearer than X-rays are wrong.
X-rays can show the overall architecture of the bone structure and changes in bone quality, and the presence of fractures and dislocations. A cervical dynamic radiograph can assess the stability of the cervical spine, and a cervical double oblique radiograph can show changes in the intervertebral foramina.
CT is superior to X-rays in examining cross-sections of the cervical spine, especially for dense tissue, and is highly accurate in measuring distances between bony structures. CT scans are more sensitive than plain X-rays in detecting tumours, as they clearly show the course of blood vessels and vascular lesions.
The main difference between MRI and X-ray and CT examinations is that there is no X-ray radiation during the examination and the damage to the body is minimal. MRI is mainly used to detect soft tissue disease and can be used not only for cross-sectional and sagittal scans, but also for angiographic imaging (MRA), which is better than CT and X-ray for soft tissue but less accurate than CT for bone.
Radiographs are preferred for the diagnosis of spinal fractures, spinal slippage, spinal deformities and spinal instability, while skimmed-phase MRI can be used to determine whether a fracture is fresh; MRI is preferred for the diagnosis of intervertebral disc pathology, especially cervical spondylosis, and for the examination of spinal cord morphology, spinal deformities, spinal tumours and spinal tuberculosis.