Introduction
In an MRI examination, imaging is performed with the help of a strong magnetic field and radio waves. While the magnetic field leads to the alignment of the atomic nuclei of the body, it can also act on other metals lying in the magnetic field (including piercings). Depending on the material and position of the piercing it can come to a strong heating with the danger of burns or to an attraction and movement of the piercing. Furthermore the image quality in the affected body part is massively influenced. For this reason any jewelry made of metal should be removed before an examination if possible.
Can I use a metal piercing in the MRT?
In principle, all metallic jewelry should be removed before an MRI examination if possible. Piercings can be made of different metals, which are magnetic to different degrees. Above all the metals iron, cobalt and nickel can be moved by the magnetic field and heat up.
Therefore an MRI examination with piercings made of these materials is usually excluded for safety reasons. Piercings made of titanium, implantanium or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) do not pose a risk to the patient in an MRI. These metals are only weak or non-magnetic and therefore can neither be attracted nor heated by the magnetic field.
For this reason it is possible to perform an MRI imaging with these piercings, as long as they are not located in the body part to be examined. Then they can cover the underlying structures and influence the image quality. If the patient does not know about the exact composition of the materials of a piercing, a piercing should always be removed for safety reasons.
A plastic piercing is made of plastic. Plastic is not magnetic and therefore does not react to the strong magnetic field in the MRI. Therefore you donŽt have to remove a plastic piercing before the examination.
Even if the imaging is done in the area of the plastic piercing it can still be worn. Many piercing studios offer to replace metal piercings for an MRI examination by plastic piercings. Titanium is a metal, which is only very weak or non-magnetic.
Therefore it does not react to the strong magnetic field in the MRI and can remain on the body during an examination. However, it must be located in a part of the body that is not being examined, as it can cover underlying structures and disturb the image quality. Titanium is also frequently used for medical products and implants (including prostheses, bone and joint replacements) due to its MRI compatibility.
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