Why is jewelry removal recommended before an imaging study?

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Metal jewelry is removed before imaging because metal objects can cause artifacts and safety risks in the scan. In MRI, the strong magnetic field can attract metal, potentially moving the jewelry or causing heating, which can burn the skin or injure the patient. In CT or X-ray studies, metal appears as bright or dark streaks that distort the image and can obscure or imitate pathology. Removing jewelry minimizes these risks and improves image quality. Although it can also help with comfort or positioning, the primary reasons are to prevent artifacts and ensure safety.