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Pediatric neuro MRI: tricks to minimize sedation

Pediatric Radiology volume 48, pages 50–55 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the workhorse modality in pediatric neuroimaging because it provides excellent soft-tissue contrast without ionizing radiation. Until recently, studies were uninterpretable without sedation; however, given development of shorter sequences, sequences that correct for motion, and studies showing the potentially deleterious effects of sedation on immature laboratory animals, it is prudent to minimize sedation when possible. This manuscript provides basic guidelines for performing pediatric neuro MRI without sedation by both modifying technical factors to reduce scan time and noise, and using a multi-disciplinary team to coordinate imaging with the patient’s biorhythms.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. A. J. Barkovich receives funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for grant R01NS046432.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave., Room L352, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0628, USA

    Matthew J. Barkovich, Duan Xu, Rahul S. Desikan & A. James Barkovich

  2. Department of Radiology, UCSF-Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Duan Xu, Cassandra Williams & A. James Barkovich

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  1. Matthew J. Barkovich
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  2. Duan Xu
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  3. Rahul S. Desikan
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  4. Cassandra Williams
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  5. A. James Barkovich
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Correspondence to Matthew J. Barkovich.

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Barkovich, M.J., Xu, D., Desikan, R.S. et al. Pediatric neuro MRI: tricks to minimize sedation. Pediatr Radiol 48, 50–55 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-3785-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-017-3785-1

Keywords

  • Anesthesia
  • Children
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Neuroradiology
  • Sedation