What clothing is suitable for an MRI scan?
Prefer simple, loose-fitting, and comfortable clothing. Suitable garments include:
- a cotton T-shirt without prints or embellishments;
- sweatpants with an elastic waistband;
- pajama pants without zippers, buttons, or hooks;
- a simple legging without metallic print;
- underwear without metal parts;
- socks;
- a sports bra or top without underwire, hooks, clasp, or metal adjusters.
Check not only the outside but also the label, waistband, and any drawstrings. Metal components are sometimes small or not immediately visible.
What clothing is not allowed in the MRI scanner?
Do not wear clothing with:
- metal zippers;
- metal buttons or snap fasteners;
- hooks or closures;
- underwire in bras;
- metal ends on drawstrings;
- studs, rivets, or metal decorations;
- glitter, sequins, or metallic prints;
- belts or buckles;
- hidden metal fibers.
Jeans are usually not suitable as they often contain a metal button, zipper, and rivets. A jacket, sweater, or sports pants may also be unsuitable if they have a zipper or metal on the cords.
Why can't clothing contain metal?
An MRI scanner operates with a very strong magnetic field and radio waves. Metal can distort the MRI images, making it harder to assess the examined area. Depending on the material and shape, metal can also move or heat up.
Therefore, the MRI technician checks before the examination whether your clothing and items are suitable for the MRI room. Always follow the technician's instructions, even if you think a metal part is outside the area to be examined.
Can you wear a bra during the MRI scan?
An underwire bra is not allowed. Even a bra without underwires may contain metal hooks, closures, or adjusters in the straps.
A simple sports bra, bralette, or top without underwires, closures, and metal adjusters may be a suitable alternative. Carefully check in advance whether any metal is present.
If in doubt, you can remove the bra before the examination. All Prescan clinics have changing rooms available.
Can I keep my underwear on?
Yes, underwear can generally be kept on, as long as it does not contain metal parts. For example, check for hooks, closures, decorations, or metal-containing fibers.
The MRI technician may ask you to remove a garment if it is not suitable for the MRI or if it covers the area to be examined and could affect the image quality.
Do I have to wear shoes during the MRI?
Shoes often contain metal, such as in zippers, eyelets, buckles, or reinforcements. Therefore, the technician may ask you to remove your shoes before entering the MRI room.
Bring clean socks so you can walk comfortably to the scanner.
Can I wear sports clothing?
Sports clothing can be suitable if it is entirely metal-free. Preferably choose a simple sports or jogging pants without zippers, buttons, metallic logos, and metal ends on cords.
Not every sports legging or sports shirt is automatically suitable. Some technical fabrics contain metal fibers or metallic decorations. Can't determine with certainty what the garment is made of? Bring simple cotton clothing.
Can I change clothes at Prescan?
Yes. All Prescan clinics have changing rooms available. You can change clothes before the examination there.
It's wise to bring an extra set of comfortable, metal-free clothing, especially if you're unsure whether your everyday clothing is suitable. Consider a simple T-shirt, jogging pants, and socks.
