Clothing in the MRI - what should I take off, what should I wear?

introduction

In magnetic resonance tomography (MRT), imaging is carried out with the help of a strong magnetic field. In addition to the alignment of the atomic nuclei, which is the cause of the creation of the image, the magnetic field can also affect metals.
There is a risk of excessive heating, which is a risk for the patient.
Therefore, clothing should be removed as far as possible before an MRI examination in order to minimize the risk - wearing zippers, buttons or belts in particular should be avoided at all costs.

In addition, jewelry, glasses, hearing aids and piercings should also be removed for the safety of the patient.
Depending on the practice or clinic, the patient is allowed to wear his own clothing (provided it does not contain magnetic metals) or a T-shirt or a surgical shirt is provided.

What should i wear?

Any clothing that could contain metal in any form should be removed prior to the examination. This also includes clothing Zippers or buttons. A Belt and shoes should also be removed.

In addition, any form of jewelry (including chains, rings, Piercings) in the MRI forbidden, as several metals are often used in a piece of jewelry and the doctor does not know this composition. Especially the metals Iron, cobalt and nickel cause problems on the MRI by getting themselves heat strongly and interfere with imaging.

Wet clothing should also be removed during the examination. Wallets, cell phones, watches and other valuables are also to be deposited and can usually be kept safe on site. If possible, however, these should simply be left at home.

It is also important to store Chip or credit cardswho often work with magnetic stripes. An examination with the MRT leads to the removal of the magnetization and deletion of the credit card data.

What can I keep on in the MRI?

The clothing that the patient is allowed to wear during the examination differs depending on the practice or clinic. Basically, the patient is allowed to wear anything that does not contain metal in any form and thus reacts to the strong magnetic field.
If you are unsure about the materials of an item of clothing, it should be removed for safety reasons.

In some practices and clinics, the patient is given a T-shirt or a surgical shirt with mesh pants before the examination. You can then change in the changing rooms in the radiology department.

Many practices and clinics also allow patients to wear their own clothes. Above all, there is wearing one T-shirts recommended so that a possible injection of contrast medium is possible via the crook of the elbow. The T-shirt can also be worn under a surgical shirt.
In addition, wearing is thick Socks Recommended, as it is sometimes cold in the examination rooms and the examination usually takes at least 20 to 30 minutes and the patient should not move.

Can I keep my bra on?

Whether wearing a bra is allowed in the MRI depends on the materials used in the bra.Often found in the area of Closure Metals, which then requires the bra to be removed during the examination.
However, so that you are not completely undressed, you can wear a T-shirt or a surgical shirt.

Alternatively, wearing most Bikinis or Bras without a metallic clasp possible.

What should I wear for a lumbar spine MRI?

For a MRI of the back or from the Lumbar spine The basic rule is that all items of clothing that contain metals in any form must be taken off. Other clothing is not a problem for MRI imaging and has no influence on the image quality, even if it is in the area of ​​the body to be examined.

Also read our topic: MRI of the lumbar spine

What should I wear for an MRI of the knee?

For a MRI of the knee it also applies that all items of clothing that contain metals in any form must be removed. This also applies if e.g. only the legs are examined in the MRI. In general, all metallic objects and items of clothing in the vicinity of the MRI are dangerous because they can become very hot and impair the image quality. Clothing that certainly does not contain any metallic components can be worn even if it is in the area of ​​the body to be examined. It is also not a problem for MRI imaging of the knee.
If you are not sure what clothes you can wear or whether your clothes may contain metal, ask the staff at the clinic and practice. In most cases, metal-free clothing can be provided for the examination.

Please also read our topic: MRI of the knee

What should I wear for an MRI on my foot?

Basically also applies to MRI of the footthat all clothing that contains metal in any form must be taken off. In addition, need Shoes off become. Socks are not a problem for imaging. Other metal-free clothing worn by the patient can be kept on and does not affect the image quality.

You might also be interested in this topic: MRI of the ankle

Do I have to take out piercings?

Wearing Piercings is during an MRI scan not allowed. Often the exact composition of the materials of a piercing is not known, which is why a piercing should be removed for safety reasons.
Piercings that contain iron, cobalt or nickel in particular are problematic, while piercings made of titanium, plastic, glass or wood are usually not a problem.

Do I have to take off jewelry for an MRI?

Jewellery should be taken off during an MRI scan. The exact composition of the jewelry materials is often not known. This is used in many pieces of jewelry Iron, cobalt and nickel processed, which react strongly magnetically in the magnetic field of the MRI.
It can be for the patient too Burns come in the vicinity of the jewelry and the jewelry can be attracted or moved by the magnetic field. In addition, the image quality is impaired if the jewelry is in the area of ​​the body part to be examined.