Medical Examination Question - Dermal Piecing

[Helenlc 157]

Just a very quick question has anyone had a medical exam / chest x-ray with any type of piercings / dermal implants. 

 

I have 3 just under my collar bone which will ofc show on any chest x-ray... however as they are dermal they really can't just be removed, they are titanium so are safe for the x-ray machine etc but just worried if it would effect the chest x-ray part and if i would really need to have them removed before. 

 

Thanks Helen

[Zoeeeeeee 797]

1 minute ago, Helenlc said:

Just a very quick question has anyone had a medical exam / chest x-ray with any type of piercings / dermal implants. 

 

I have 3 just under my collar bone which will ofc show on any chest x-ray... however as they are dermal they really can't just be removed, they are titanium so are safe for the x-ray machine etc but just worried if it would effect the chest x-ray part and if i would really need to have them removed before. 

 

Thanks Helen

I can’t see how they would have any impact - it’ll be very clear from their shape what they are and they’re checking for specific things when they do the X-ray - I definitely wouldn’t worry about it 🙃

[ADW & JOP 146]

How big are these piercings?

 

For immigration purposes, x-rays are often done to look for pulmonary tuberculosis. Often, latent pulmonary tuberculosis are seen on the top portions of the lung. It should not affect the quality of the x-rays but if they are too large, they may obscure the interpretation.

[Helenlc 157]

1 minute ago, ADW & JOP said:

How big are these piercings?

 

For immigration purposes, x-rays are often done to look for pulmonary tuberculosis. Often, latent pulmonary tuberculosis are seen on the top portions of the lung. It should not affect the quality of the x-rays but if they are too large, they may obscure the interpretation.

Each one is a 4mm top... with a dermal anchor plate under the skin about 7mm spaced about a cm apart... Im thinking it may be slightly higher then what they are looking for. 

[ADW & JOP 146]

1 minute ago, Helenlc said:

Each one is a 4mm top... with a dermal anchor plate under the skin about 7mm spaced about a cm apart... Im thinking it may be slightly higher then what they are looking for.

They are very small, so unlikely to obscure anything obvious. You will most likely be fine. On an x-ray, it is pretty easy to tell a foreign object and unlikely to be used against you.

[Helenlc 157]

Perfect thank you both for your help... i was really worried i would have to have them removed... which isn't pleasant. 

[Richard Purves 58]

Don't worry about it. You'll see the doctor for a physical examination well before they x-ray you. Point it out, and it'll be ok.