Magnetic resonance imaging is another name for MRI. The MRI takes photographs of your kid's internal organs using a powerful magnet. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure is safe because it does not emit any radiation and has minimal risks.
Note: Patients who suffer from specific diseases, such as claustrophobia, anxiety, or a condition that causes physical pain, may be given anaesthesia before undergoing an MRI procedure to ensure that they can remain still during the procedure.
Because it can be challenging for children to remain still during an MRI, it is not uncommon for them to receive anaesthesia before the procedure.
What does the scan look for?
Your child will either be given a gas to breathe that will make him or her sleepy or an injection. During the scan, the anesthesiologist will keep a close eye on your child's blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and breathing to make sure they are safe and completely asleep. Once your child is under anaesthesia, they will be taken to the scanning room and you will have to wait on the ward until the scan is done.
For the scan, your child will need to lie down on the bed. Depending on what part of their body is being scanned, they may have to wear a head coil or have a coil placed over part of their body (this will not touch their head).
When your child is in the right place, the radiographer will move the bed inside the scanner and then go into the control room. During the scan, the anesthesiologist will keep an eye on your child.
The radiologist will move the bed out of the scanner when the scan is done. Then, they will move your child to a place where he or she can wake up from the anaesthesia. Some of the kids are brought back to the ward to get better.
We'll call you back at this time so you can be there when they start to wake up. You should be ready to stay in the hospital until your child is fully awake and has had something to eat and drink. After the scan, most families can go home a couple of hours later.
What kind of anaesthesia is used before having an MRI done?
MRIs that require anaesthesia are typically performed under sedation; but, on occasion, they are done when the patient is under general anaesthesia. Being in a state that is somewhere between calm and extremely sleepy, but not quite unconscious, is what we mean when we talk about sedation.
How to get ready for the MRI scan?
On the day of the scan, you'll need to be at the hospital at 7.30 a.m. for a morning list and 11.30 a.m. for an afternoon list. Your child will be taken to a ward, where a doctor or nurse specialist will check to see if they are ready for anaesthesia.
We will also ask you to sign a consent form for the MRI scan to be done under general anaesthesia if you haven't already done so. On the day of the surgery, the anesthesiologist will decide the order of the list. This decision will be made based on the clinical diagnosis and health of each child on that list.
For the scan, your child should wear clothes that don't have zips or metal snaps. If they do, they will have to change into a gown.
Before the scan starts, the nurse or radiographer will make sure your child doesn't have a pacemaker, metal implants or clips, dental braces, a history of metal fragments in the eyes, or any allergies. We will have you sign a form to show that this is true.
If your daughter is 12 or older, we will ask her about her periods and if there is any chance she could be pregnant.
How long does it take to complete an MRI while under sedation?
The amount of time needed for an MRI examination varies widely based on the area of the body being examined. The administration of anaesthesia will add at least thirty minutes, and quite frequently longer. The actual MRI scan could take anything from twenty to eighty minutes to complete. You are free to inquire with the care team about an estimated length of time for your particular operation.
After receiving anaesthesia, you will need to recuperate in the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) for around one to two hours.
What happens after the MRI?
When your child is fully recovered from the anaesthetic and has eaten and drunk something, you will be able to go home. The radiologist, a doctor who specialises in scans, will send your child's doctor a report of the scan before your child's next appointment. If you haven't gotten a follow-up appointment with your consultant after two weeks, please call their secretary.
Risks involved in MRI
Anaesthesia has benefits, such as a calm patient, but it also has risks. More time spent in preparation for surgery and recuperation means that both parents and children will miss more time from their regular schedules. Anaesthesia leaves many children feeling disoriented, uncomfortable and irritated during the recovery period.
There is also new worry about the possibility of irreversible harm from repeated or extended exposure to anaesthetics in children younger than three. Some children who undergo MRIs will require anaesthesia, so your doctor will suggest you the best for your child.
Even though MRI gets rid of the dangers of ionising radiation, the machine can be scary for children. Sometimes, sedation or general anaesthesia is needed to keep patients calm and still during the procedure.
For each scan, your child will be placed on the MRI table in a certain posture. After the table is in place, it will be able to be rolled into the scanner's opening.
Since the scanner is open on both ends, your youngster will not be touched by it even though it may feel close. Even as it captures images, the scanner emits a cacophony of noise. It could sound like a shoe being thrown into the dryer, or it could be really loud.
The MRI scan takes a long time, and the kids have to lie still the whole time.
This can range from thirty minutes to three hours, depending on the type of test that was prescribed.
The image becomes hazy with the slightest motion. Since your child will be sedated for the duration of the procedure, you will be able to stay with them until they go to sleep. After that, go back to the waiting area till the exam is through.
Conclusion
We at Sanar Care, are committed to your safety. Our MRI teams work hard to keep our patients and their families safe. Before your child can go into the MRI area, you will have to fill out an MRI Safety Screening Sheet. If you have any questions or need help, please let us know. You can't bring things like jewellery, keys, credit cards, and electronics into the MRI room.
Some medical devices that are already in your body can't go into the MRI room. If your child has a medical device implanted, please let our staff know right away. Bring any information you have about the device that was put in by a doctor.