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Is MRI imaging in pediatric age totally safe? A critical reprisal

Sergio Salerno1, Claudio Granata2, Marco Trapenese3

  • 1Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Policlinico Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via del Vespro 127, CAP 90127, Palermo, Italy. sergio.salerno@unipa.it.

La Radiologia Medica
|May 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers an alternative to radiation imaging for children. This review examines potential MRI risks, including biological effects, sedation, and gadolinium contrast agents, for infant patients.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Imaging
  • Pediatric Radiology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Current radiological literature emphasizes radiation imaging risks, particularly ionizing radiation exposure in children.
  • There is a need to understand the safety profile of alternative imaging techniques for pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively review literature data on potential risks associated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in infant patients.
  • To focus on the biological effects of MRI, sedation, and gadolinium contrast agents in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of existing literature data.
  • Analysis of biological effects from non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF).
  • Assessment of risks related to sedation, anesthesia, ferromagnetic devices, and gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Main Results:

  • Potential MRI risks include biological effects of EMF (polarization, induced currents, thermal heating).
  • Risks also encompass loud noise, ferromagnetic device hazards, sedation/anesthesia complications, and gadolinium deposition.
  • Ferromagnetic device risks are heightened in children due to accidental introduction into the MRI room.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding MRI risks is crucial for pediatric imaging, balancing benefits against potential harms.
  • Key concerns involve EMF interactions, procedural sedation, and gadolinium contrast agent safety.
  • Further research into long-term effects and safer contrast agents is warranted for pediatric MRI.
Keywords:
MRPaediatric populationSafety

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