Table 4.

Example phrases for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

Reason why MRI or CT scan is suggested	Pros	Cons
“A scan of the brain is a common part of dementia diagnostics. With MRIa or CTb scan we visualize the brain. We can exclude treatable diseases. Moreover, we can view characteristics of dementia, such as shrinkage of the brain or wearing of the blood vessels.”	“Detecting treatable diseases, such as a brain tumor, brain infarct, or hemorrhage.” “Detecting characteristics of dementia.” “An MRIa scan shows more details than a CTb scan.” “A CTb scan is less cumbersome as the scan takes less time (10-15 min) and the CTb scanner is more spacious. Also, a pacemaker is not a problem.”	“A patient may not move for 30 min in the MRIa scanner.” “For some patients an MRIa scan may be an anxious experience (claustrophobia).” “It is not always possible to perform an MRIa, for example, if a patient has a pacemaker.” “A CTb scan shows les details than an MRIa scan.”

^aMRI: magnetic resonance imaging.

^bCT: computer tomography.