Can anyone advise if an MRI or CT is better?

[CocoBean22]

I've got the choice of either an abdominal MRI scan with contrast or an abdominal CT scan with contrast for abdominal pain.

Can anyone tell me which is better for showing the Bowel please?

One doctor said one thing and another said another 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

My main concern is Bowel C**r but currently there is no indication for a colonoscopy, so the consultant has offered either of these scans instead.

I just want to make sure I go for the right scan that's going to picture the bowel and other abdo organs clearly.

Usually a consultant would refer to Radiology and a Radiologist would decide which modality is best depending on the clinical question. What does your consultant suggest?
MRI doesn't involve radiation so that's better from that point of view.

If there are no indications for a colonoscopy then going for the MRI would probably be wiser. Abdominal CTs give you an absolutely massive dose of radiation and usually only used when the benefits outweigh the risk. If the doctors don't feel you are high risk or on the 2 week pathway, there's little point getting a voluntary scan that could actually give you cancer down the line.

I was referred for a CT scan for similar symptoms. I queried why a CT over MRI (concerned about radiation) and he said MRI is best for a specific area that you need to see in detail whereas CT gives a better overall picture.

they can see the bowel but it won’t rule out bowel cancer, particularly as the bowel will be full of liquid / stool. They may see an area of thickening for example that they’d want to look closer at but not necessarily.

so I would say a CT based on my consultants recommendation.