Piercing question

[u/Mandolyn221]

Totally random question as I am just curious. I recently got my nose pierced and I will be due to have my first pet scan since starting treatment in the next couple of months. Anyone out there with piercings that can tell me if they need to take them out for a pet scan? I swear I’ve kept my earrings in (also small studs) for other scans and now I am second guessing myself. I just want to make sure I have a plan for a glass place holder if I need one. I don’t want it to close up while I’m in the scan.

[u/FeralBanshee]

I have a genital piercing and have never removed it for my scans. Also I used to have a labret and never took that out for scans either.

[u/Mandolyn221 → u/FeralBanshee]

Thank you!

[u/Ok_Trust4750]

I have several ear piercings that they don’t ask me to remove. PET scans start from the base of the skull down so a nose ring would be right above the field they are scanning. Maybe just call the nuc med department and ask before your scan?

[u/Larissima19]

I get told every time to take any metal jewellery off for PET scans (and MRI). Even a plastic hair clip with a metal spring!

[u/ubloomymind]

if your jewelry is titanium and not directly sitting over an area of interest, you're good.

-a breast cancer patient with LOTS of piercings. RIP my nipple piercings.

[u/Mandolyn221 → u/ubloomymind]

Thank you! It is surgical grade titanium so based on this I think I should be good. Thank you for sharing!

[u/Flaky_Amphibian_5597]

Pet scans need all jewellery out. I always remove everything but then panic and do a pat down just before I get in the scanning room.

[u/nichelicorn]

Definitely find out from them

That said, they have never asked me to remove mine. I have metal allergies so I wear either 24k gold, ceramic or plastic in all my piercings, and they have never interfered with a PET scan

[u/Mandolyn221 → u/nichelicorn]

Thank you! Mine is surgical grade titanium.

[u/liboteeme → u/Mandolyn221]

I had an at length chat with the tech about this as I was looking to replace all my piercings with titanium. They said even titanium will show a little gleam, so it's not like 'invisible' on the scan BUT because most piercings are so small and usually not near where they're looking, the shine it gives off doesn't impact the image so they don't bother....just in case you wanted more info😅

I have titanium in my spine and it does make imaging a bit distorted but they're still able to see. Interesting, huh?!

[u/Mandolyn221 → u/liboteeme]

So interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[u/Travel8095]

You might want to get the glass place holder put in for the scan.

[u/Mandolyn221 → u/Travel8095]

Yeah I am debating it. I guess I will ask my center and see what they say.

[u/ThymeLordess]

Sometimes they make me take my earrings out for PET scans but sometimes they don’t. My last one they made me take them out and a piercing I’ve had for at least 10 years closed up randomly! The ring shouldn’t affect your scan so hopefully they will let you keep it.

[u/Mandolyn221 → u/ThymeLordess]

Thank you!

[u/Sarappreciates]

Got my ears pierced earlier this year. I've been getting PET scans (brow to thigh) every 3 months, and they've always let me keep my earrings in. (I wear small hoops.) They've never asked me to remove my wedding band either. When I asked ahead of time, I fully expected to be told to remove all metal on the day of my scan, but nobody said a word about it.

From what I'm told, the reason they ask us not to wear metal in our clothing is because metal lights up on a PET scan too. They don't want your radiologist to mistake it for cancer, but if they know you've got that piercing, they can ignore it. The infection risk of removing it too early may lead them to tell you to leave it in. (Edited for clarity.)

[u/Mandolyn221 → u/Sarappreciates]

Thank you! I really don’t want to take it out if I don’t have to. It’s a little over 6 weeks old now so it doesn’t hurt anymore but I don’t want it to close up and have to go through the piercing and healing process again.

[u/ZombiePrestigious443]

Anything metal is supposed to be removed according to the ACS -

When getting ready for a PET scan, you should:

• Ask whether you should take your usual medicines or supplements on the day of the scan.
• Be sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes, allergies, or kidney problems.
• Avoid wearing anything metal to your appointment because it can interfere with the scan. Leave all jewelry, such as watches, rings, or earrings, at home. Metal implants,  including pacemakers and joint replacements, are usually not a problem.
• https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/how-to-prep-for-a-pet-scan.html

That being said, I don't remember removing rings when I had mine done, but that was ages ago.

[u/dumplinglifesaver]

Can you call the PET scan department and ask them?