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3D Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Respiratory Motion in Mechanically Ventilated Mice and Rats
Published on: September 19, 2025
Impact of airway management strategies on magnetic resonance image quality
F E Ucisik-Keser1, T L Chi1, Y Hamid2
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1482, Houston, TX 77030-4000, USA.
Background:
Use of general anaesthesia or deep sedation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies leads to pharyngeal muscle relaxation, often resulting in snoring and subsequent vibrations with head micromotion. Given that MRI is very susceptible to motion, this causes artifacts and image quality degradation. The purpose of our study was to determine the effectiveness of different airway management techniques in overcoming micromotion-induced MRI artifacts.
Methods:
After obtaining institutional review board approval, we conducted a retrospective study on the image quality of central nervous system MRI studies in nine patients who had serial MRIs under general anaesthesia. All data were obtained from electronic records. We evaluated the following airway techniques: use of no airway device (NAD); oral, nasal, or supraglottic airway (SGA); or tracheal tube. To assess MRI quality, we developed a scoring system with a combined score ranging from 6 to 30. We used the linear mixed model to account for patient-dependent confounders.
Results:
We assessed 85 MRI studies from nine patients: 48 NAD, 27 SGA, four oral, four nasal, and two tracheal tube. Arithmetical mean combined scores were 21.6, 27.6, 20.3, 15.3, and 29.5, respectively. The estimated mean combined scores for the NAD and SGA cohorts were 22.0 and 27.3, respectively, showing that SGA use improved the combined score by 5.3 (P<0.0001).
Conclusions:
The use of an SGA during MRI studies under general anaesthesia or deep sedation significantly improves image quality.
Insights
Supraglottic airways (SGA) significantly reduce motion artifacts during MRI scans under anesthesia. This airway management technique improves overall image quality by minimizing vibrations caused by pharyngeal muscle relaxation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Anesthesiology
- Neurology
Background:
- General anesthesia/deep sedation during MRI causes pharyngeal muscle relaxation, leading to snoring and head micromotion.
- This motion introduces artifacts and degrades image quality in MRI studies.
- Effective airway management is crucial to mitigate these motion-induced artifacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different airway management techniques in reducing MRI artifacts.
- To determine which airway strategy best overcomes micromotion caused by anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 85 central nervous system MRI studies in nine patients under general anesthesia.
- Evaluation of image quality using a scoring system (6-30) across various airway techniques: no airway device (NAD), oral, nasal, supraglottic airway (SGA), and tracheal tube.
- Statistical analysis using linear mixed models to account for patient-specific factors.
Main Results:
- Supraglottic airway (SGA) use was associated with higher image quality scores compared to no airway device (NAD).
- Estimated mean combined scores were 22.0 for NAD and 27.3 for SGA.
- SGA use improved the image quality score by 5.3 points (P<0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Supraglottic airway (SGA) devices significantly enhance MRI image quality.
- Implementing SGAs during general anesthesia or deep sedation is an effective strategy to combat motion artifacts.
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