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Effect of MRI strength and propofol sedation on pediatric core temperature change
Diane L Isaacson1, Daniel J Yanosky, Richard A Jones
1Medical College of Georgia, School of Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA. diane.isaacson@gmail.com
Insights
Core body temperature changes in children during MRI scans are minimal, regardless of magnetic field strength (1.5T vs. 3T) or propofol sedation. Significant temperature shifts are rare in pediatric MRI patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric imaging
- Medical physics
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Core body temperature monitoring is crucial during pediatric procedures.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) involves strong magnetic fields that could potentially affect body temperature.
- Propofol sedation is commonly used in pediatric MRI, with potential implications for thermoregulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate core body temperature variations in children during MRI examinations.
- To compare temperature changes across different magnetic field strengths (1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla).
- To assess the impact of propofol sedation on core body temperature during pediatric MRI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective collection of temporal artery temperatures in 400 pediatric patients undergoing MRI.
- Utilized a cumulative logistic regression model to analyze temperature changes.
- Factors analyzed included age, weight, MRI protocol, sedation status, pre-MRI temperature, and MRI field strength.
Main Results:
- Mean core body temperature showed no significant overall change (–0.0155°C).
- Temperature changes were significantly different between sedated (–0.26°C) and non-sedated (0.24°C) patients.
- Temperature changes also differed significantly between 3T (0.076°C) and 1.5T (–0.06°C) MRI strengths.
Conclusions:
- Clinically significant core body temperature changes are uncommon in children undergoing MRI.
- Different magnetic field strengths (1.5T vs. 3T) do not lead to significant temperature variations.
- Propofol sedation status influences temperature changes during pediatric MRI, but overall clinically significant changes remain rare.
Purpose:
To determine core body temperature variations in children undergoing MRI exams on 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3T magnetic field strengths and with and without propofol sedation.
Materials And Methods:
Temporal artery temperatures were prospectively collected on 400 consecutive patients undergoing 1.5 Tesla (T) or 3.0T MRI scans. A cumulative logistic regression model was created using age, weight, MRI protocol, sedation status, pre-MRI temperature and MRI strength to assess risk of temperature change.
Results:
For patients with complete pre- and post-MRI temperature data, mean temperatures did not significantly change (-0.0155°C, 95%CI, -0.035, 0.064; n = 385). Temperature changes differed significantly between propofol-sedated and nonsedated patients (-0.26°C ± .44 versus 0.24°C ± 0.42; P < 0.0001), as did temperature changes for patients on the 3T (0.076°C ± 0.52) versus 1.5T (-0.06°C ± 0.48; P = 0.011). Sedation status, age, MRI strength, and MRI protocol accounted for 44.17% of temperature variance. The temperatures of 15 patients' (3.9%) decreased >1°C; 12 were on the 1.5T. All 7 patients (1.8%) who increased >1°C were non-sedates.
Conclusion:
Clinically significant core body temperature change is uncommon in children undergoing MRI with different magnetic field strengths, and with and without propofol sedation.
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