Preparing for Your Scan
What to Wear to a — PET-CT Scan
The right clothing on scan day means no delays and a clear result. Metal in your clothing or jewellery can create artefacts that blur the images — and in some cases the scan has to be repeated.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- No metal, anywhere — Metal causes artefacts in the image. This includes underwire, metal zips, buttons, rivets, and all jewellery.
- Loose is better than tight — Tight or structured clothing over the scan area may need to be removed at the centre.
- You will likely change into a gown — Most centres provide a gown for the scan. Leave valuables at home.
- Confirm with your centre — The exact requirements are confirmed at booking. Follow any instructions given to you.
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Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal on the day of your PET-CT scan. Remove all jewellery before you leave home. Most centres will ask you to change into a gown for part of the scan, or at least remove clothing over the area being scanned. Your centre will confirm the exact requirements at booking.
A whole-body PET-CT at CION costs from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
How to prepare what you wear for a PET-CT scan
The day before: choose your outfit
Pick something loose and comfortable with no metal fastenings. Tracksuit bottoms, a loose cotton top, or a simple salwar kameez without metal embellishments all work well. Avoid jeans with metal rivets, underwire bras, belts with metal buckles, and tops with decorative metal buttons.
Remove all jewellery before leaving home
Take off rings, earrings, necklaces, bangles, anklets, nose pins, and any body piercings you are able to remove. Do not plan to remove them at the centre — you may have nowhere safe to leave them, and it adds time to a busy appointment.
Leave valuables at home
Watches, fitness trackers, and jewellery are better left at home. The centre cannot be responsible for items you bring in.
Arrive at the centre
The staff will check what you are wearing before the scan begins. If your clothing has metal or is tight over the scan area, they will ask you to change into a gown. This is normal and takes only a few minutes.
Follow any centre-specific instructions
Your appointment letter or the team at booking may have given you specific clothing guidance. Follow that. If you have a question, call the centre the day before rather than on arrival.
Does jewellery or metal in clothing affect a PET-CT scan?
Yes. Any metal near the scan area creates artefacts — patches of distortion in the image that can obscure what the radiologist needs to see. In some cases the scan cannot be read clearly and has to be repeated.
This applies to jewellery of all kinds: rings, earrings, necklaces, bangles, nose pins, and body piercings. It also applies to metal in clothing — underwire in bras, metal studs or rivets on jeans, decorative metal buttons, and belt buckles.
If you wear a piece of jewellery you cannot remove — for example, a ring that no longer slides off — tell the team when you arrive so they can check whether it falls within the scan area and note it for the radiologist.
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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Will you need to change into a gown at the centre?
In most cases, yes — at least for part of the scan. A gown lets the team position you correctly and ensures no clothing is interfering with the images.
If you arrive in loose, metal-free clothing and the scan does not cover the area your clothes are over, the staff may not ask you to change. They will assess this when you arrive.
Either way, have as little with you as possible. Leaving jewellery and valuables at home is simpler and safer than managing them at the centre.
What to keep on and what to remove
| Item | Fine to keep on? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Loose cotton top or tracksuit bottoms — no metal | Yes | No action needed |
| Underwire bra | No | Change to a non-underwire or sports bra before the scan |
| Jeans with metal rivets or a belt with a metal buckle | No | Change before or at the centre |
| All jewellery — rings, earrings, necklaces, bangles | No | Remove before leaving home |
| Nose pin or body piercing near the scan area | No | Remove if possible; tell the team if you cannot |
| Watch or fitness tracker | No | Leave at home or remove before the scan |
| Medical implant you cannot remove — pacemaker, joint replacement | Usually fine | Tell the team when you arrive |
Morning-of checklist before you leave home
- Loose, comfortable outfit chosen — no metal fastenings, no underwire, no metal buttons or rivets
- All jewellery removed and left at home
- Watch and fitness tracker left at home or removed
- Any removable piercings taken out
- If a piece of jewellery cannot be removed, plan to tell the team on arrival
- Appointment letter re-read — check for any centre-specific clothing instructions
Book a PET-CT at CION from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — with an oncologist-reviewed report and a free Rs 950 consultation, across 4 partner centres. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
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Your next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear an underwire bra to a PET-CT scan?
No. The underwire is metal and will appear in the scan images, potentially obscuring findings in the chest area. Wear a non-underwire bra or a sports bra without metal closures instead. If you only notice on the day, the centre will ask you to remove it or change into a gown — but sorting this the night before is simpler.
What if I arrive wearing something with metal?
The team will ask you to change into a gown, which takes a few extra minutes and does not usually cancel the scan. If the metal is directly over the scan area and cannot be removed — for example, a fixed piece of jewellery — the team will assess whether to proceed and will note it for the radiologist. Sorting clothing the evening before avoids this entirely.
Is a salwar kameez or sari suitable for a PET-CT scan?
A salwar kameez with no metal embellishments and no metal hook-and-eye fastenings is one of the most convenient outfits for a PET-CT scan — comfortable, easy to manage at the centre, and typically metal-free. A sari is more complicated to manage and repin after the scan. If you wear a sari, check with the centre at booking — they may suggest bringing a simple change of clothing.
I have a metal implant — a pacemaker, hip replacement, or surgical clips. Can I still have the scan?
In most cases, yes. PET-CT uses a radiotracer and X-rays rather than a magnetic field, which makes it different from an MRI and generally possible with metal implants in place. However, a metal implant can cause artefacts in the images immediately around it. Tell the team when you arrive so the radiologist can account for this when reading your result. Do not leave it undeclared.
Do I need to leave my jewellery at home because of radiation?
No. The reason to leave jewellery at home is safekeeping, not radiation. The radiotracer used in a PET-CT scan stays in your body — your jewellery is not exposed to anything. You can wear it again as soon as you are home. Leaving it at home simply means you are not managing it at the centre or worrying about where to put it during the scan.