Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
15:18

Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure

Published on: July 30, 2009

Sedation and anesthesia protocols used for magnetic resonance imaging studies in infants: provider and pharmacologic

Priti G Dalal1, David Murray, Thomas Cox

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. pgdalal@hotmail.com

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|September 27, 2006
PubMed

Insights

For infant MRI sedation, oral chloral hydrate showed fewer cardiorespiratory events than IV pentobarbital or propofol. However, propofol allowed for quicker scanning and discharge, while chloral hydrate had more movement during procedures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Medical Imaging Sedation

Background:

  • Sedation is crucial for pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Current practices often use single drugs, but a tiered approach may optimize care.
  • Infant sedation requires careful consideration of safety and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a tiered sedation approach in infants undergoing MRI.
  • To compare cardiorespiratory events, scanning time, discharge time, and movement artifacts across different sedation regimens.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study of 258 infants requiring MRI.
  • Comparison of three sedation groups: oral chloral hydrate (monitored by nurses), IV pentobarbital (bolus, monitored by nurses), and IV propofol (infusion, titrated by physicians).

Main Results:

  • Chloral hydrate group had significantly fewer cardiorespiratory events (2.9%) compared to pentobarbital (13.4%) and propofol (13.6%).
  • Propofol facilitated earlier MRI scanning start times (9.1 min) versus chloral hydrate (23.5 min).
  • Propofol group had the shortest discharge time (53.9 min), while chloral hydrate showed more movement (22.5%) and sedation failures.

Conclusions:

  • A tiered sedation approach is feasible for infant MRI.
  • Chloral hydrate offers a safer cardiorespiratory profile but may compromise imaging quality due to movement.
  • Propofol provides faster scanning and discharge but requires closer physician titration due to higher cardiorespiratory event rates.

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI01:14

Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI

Introduction: MRI and CT scans are crucial advancements in medical imaging techniques, playing a vital role in diagnosing conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Each scan serves distinct purposes, targets specific areas, and requires unique nursing duties.
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI01:21

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, or CMRI, is a non-invasive diagnostic test that employs a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to create precise images of the heart and arteries. It provides comprehensive information about cardiac anatomy, function, perfusion, and tissue characterization without ionizing radiation.IndicationsCMRI diagnoses various heart conditions, including tissue damage from heart attacks, ischemic heart disease, myocarditis, aortic issues (tears, aneurysms,...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging01:27

Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, can include a specialized imaging technique of the urinary system known as Magnetic Resonance Urography (MRU). This radiation-free technique uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images with the help of a computer. MRU is particularly effective for visualizing fluid-filled structures like the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.Applications of MRI in the Genitourinary SystemKidneys and Ureters: MRI detects tumors, cysts,...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging01:24

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...