Which jewelry should be removed?
Before the MRI examination, remove among others:
- rings and wedding rings;
- earrings;
- necklaces and pendants;
- bracelets;
- anklets;
- watches and smartwatches;
- brooches and tie pins;
- hairpins and metal hair accessories;
- visible and non-visible piercings;
- loose jewelry on or in clothing.
Also, check your pockets for coins, keys, and other metal objects. Phones, bank cards, and electronic equipment are also not allowed in the MRI room.
Do I have to remove my wedding ring during an MRI?
Yes. A wedding ring must also be removed at Prescan before the MRI scan. This applies to rings made of gold, silver, platinum, or any other material.
Preferably, remove a tight ring at home. If this is not possible, do not attempt to forcefully remove the ring. Contact Prescan well before the appointment to discuss what is needed.
Do piercings need to be removed before an MRI scan?
Yes. At Prescan, piercings must be removed before the MRI examination. This includes:
- ear and cartilage piercings;
- nose and septum piercings;
- eyebrow piercings;
- lip and tongue piercings;
- nipple piercings;
- navel piercings;
- genital piercings;
- surface piercings and microdermals.
The material of a piercing is not the only consideration. A piercing can also disrupt the MRI image when it is close to the examined body part.
Preferably, remove piercings at home or have them removed in time by a professional piercer. Do not wait until just before the appointment if a piercing is difficult to remove.
What if my piercing can't be removed?
Contact Prescan before your appointment if you cannot remove a piercing, microdermal, or other jewelry yourself. Please mention:
- where the piercing is located;
- which body part is being examined;
- what material you believe is used;
- whether you have documentation about the material;
- why the piercing cannot be removed.
The MRI technologist assesses according to the Prescan protocol whether and under what conditions the examination can proceed. Do not assume a piercing can be left in place because it is made of titanium, gold, or surgical steel.
Do not attempt to forcibly remove a piercing right before the examination. This can cause wounds, swelling, or infection.
Can a plastic piercing retainer stay in during the MRI?
A plastic retainer may contain no metal, but that does not automatically mean it can stay in place for all examinations. The location of the retainer and the body part to be examined can also play a role.
Consult with Prescan in advance before replacing a piercing with a retainer. Also, have it checked whether the retainer is indeed completely metal-free.
Can a gold or silver piece of jewelry stay in place?
No. Prescan asks to remove all jewelry, regardless of the material.
Even if a particular precious metal is hardly attracted by the magnet, the jewelry may consist of an alloy with other metals. It can also disrupt images or become warm during the examination. Therefore, one clear and verifiable rule applies: remove all jewelry.
Can I wear a watch or smartwatch?
No. A regular watch, smartwatch, fitness tracker, or other wearable is not allowed in the MRI room.
These devices may contain metal, a battery, and electronic components. The strong magnetic field can influence or damage them. Preferably leave them at home or place them in the designated area outside the MRI room before the examination.
What about glasses and hearing aids?
Glasses and hearing aids are not jewelry, but usually must also be removed before entering the MRI room. They can contain metal and electronic components.
The MRI technologist will tell you where to leave these items and when you can use them again.
Do fixed braces or dental implants need to be removed?
Fixed braces, crowns, bridges, or dental implants are different from loose jewelry. These cannot be removed by yourself.
Always mention dental metal on the safety questionnaire and to the MRI technologist. It can especially affect image quality during an MRI of the head or neck. The technologist will assess whether the examination can proceed according to the protocol.
