When preparing for a PSMA PET scan, it is essential to wear comfortable clothing and avoid all metal items to ensure the best possible imaging results.
Recommended Attire
The primary recommendation for a PSMA PET scan is to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. This helps you remain relaxed during the entire procedure, which can last for some time.
What to Avoid
It is critical to avoid wearing any items that contain metal, as these can interfere with the sophisticated imaging equipment and potentially affect the clarity and accuracy of the scan.
- Jewelry: Remove all jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, and body piercings.
- Watches: Do not wear a watch.
- Clothing with Metal: Avoid garments that have metal components. This includes:
- Zippers
- Snaps
- Buttons (especially large metal ones)
- Underwire bras
- Clothing with metal embellishments or sequins
Why avoid metal? Metal objects can create artifacts on the PET scan images, which are distortions or inaccuracies that can obscure important details or lead to misinterpretations of the results.
Upon Arrival at the Facility
Even if you arrive in appropriate clothing, you may still be asked to change into a hospital gown once you arrive for your PSMA PET scan. This is a common practice to ensure there are no unforeseen interferences and to maintain consistency for all patients undergoing the scan.
Important Pre-Scan Preparation
Beyond your clothing choices, an important preparatory step is to empty your bladder before the scan begins. This is crucial for optimal imaging, particularly for clear visualization of the pelvic region, which is often a focus in PSMA PET scans for prostate cancer.
For more information on PSMA PET and MRI imaging, you can consult reliable health resources like IU Health.
