Asian Journal of Medical Principles and Clinical Practice

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used in a variety of paediatric conditions because of its high soft tissue contrast resolution and utility for acquiring multiplanar images to evaluate the anatomy and function of organs in the body without the use of ionizing radiation. With the increasing use and application of MRI in our centre, the article is aimed at reviewing the Sedation in the paediatric MRI; a preliminary report in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers state.

Methods: All MRI sedation done in the past nine months using midazolam and propofol calculated by weight were identified. Data collection involved age, body mass index (BMI), ASA status, type of anaesthesia, duration of procedure, pre and post procedure vital signs, challenges in the peri-procedural period and complications.

Results: One hundred and sixty-nine patients ASA I-III, aged up to 12 years, day case for MRI sedation over a nine-month period, were used. 23(13.6) infants and 146(86.4) were children. Mean age was 5.4 ± 4.0, BMI 16.2 ± 4.0, approximately 2% were classified as ASA I, 54% ASA II, 44% ASA III. Approximately 93% of the children were sedated with propofol while 7% had monitored anaesthesia care. The mean duration of the procedure was 40.7 ± 6.4. For pre procedural vital signs, mean pulse rate was 91.9 ± 4.9, mean SpO2 97.1 ± 1.3. For post procedural vital signs, mean pulse rate was 91.9 ± 4.9, mean SpO2 96.8 ± 1.1.

Conclusion: Sedation for MRI is safe. Proper patient selection, pre anaesthetic review, and continuous presence of the anaesthetist is required, monitored anaesthetist care is also possible but in selected cases.