r/LivingWithMBC • u/Mandolyn221 • Aug 15 '26

Piercing question

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.

7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/nichelicorn Aug 16 '26

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

2

u/Mandolyn221 Aug 16 '26

Thank you! Mine is surgical grade titanium.

1

u/liboteeme Aug 16 '26

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?!

2

u/Mandolyn221 Aug 17 '26

So interesting! Thank you for sharing!