SN FAQ: MRI or other Sedated procedures

Assembly_Reqd · May 2012

Welcome to the Special Needs Frequently Asked Question thread! Please feel free to also create your own post in a new thread if you need more information or support. We want as many parents as possible in your similar situation to 'see' your question. Please be specific and include the potential diagnosis or procedure in your post title.

Please share your MRI or other sedated procedure experience.

What was the procedure?

How old was your child?

How long did it take?

How was anesthesia and the recovery?

When/How did you get the results?

Do you have any other tips?

Assembly_Reqd · May 2012

What was the procedure?

Nate has had many MRI's and an MRI/CT scan combo. He has a brain abnormality (hypoplasia of the corpus callosum) that we are keeping track of as well as his brain development. The CT scan we tacked on to an MRI procedure to check the bones in his ears. We had what is called "a cochlear work up" which takes extra slices during the MRI in the cochlear area since that structure is so small and the CT part looks at the skull and hearing bones. He has hearing loss but is not a candidate for an implant.

How old was your child?

3 days old (unsedated), 6 months (brain & spinal cord), 18 months (brain)

How long did it take?

The brain ones took about 45 minutes. The brain/spinal cord took about 1.5 hours.

How was anesthesia and the recovery?

Honestly, the hardest part is when thay are being sedated. One parent may be able to carry them to the pre-scan gurney area or you may both be in a hospital room and they will sedate them there. First the gas mask will go on. It can smell bad or smell like strawberries depending on where you go. Nate cried when they held the mask over his face. It is scary for him and hard to watch. Just make sure your child can see you and hear your voice. I get all teary thinking about watching Nate fall asleep. It is heart breaking. Crying . Be strong!

After they fall asleep they will then place the I.V. The I.V is placed as a precaution and not really used unless needed for an emergency. He was not intubated.

Nate woke up a bit scared and cried. He did not have any adverse affects and was fine by dinner time.

When/How did you get the results?

We keep copies of all Nate's reports and scans so we do not leave the MRI without a disk of the images. The radiologist will read the images and write their report later that day, so if you want a copy of it before you see your child's doctor again you will need to contact medical records at the facility and request one. Otherwise you will learn about your results at your follow-up appointment. If you are a worrier or anxious by nature I would just wait until your follow up appointment. Googling the radiologists report before discussing it with the doctor will not be helpful.

Do you have any other tips?

I bring a bottle with some juice or water for after he wakes up. The nurses may discourage giving them milk products in case your child gets an upset stomach from the anesthesia. Also make sure your child has a warm pair of socks. Nate was given an itty bitty hospital gown to wear for the procedure. I have heard some places tell you to dress your child in clothes without metal or snaps and they scan them in their clothes.? You may want to bring a change of clothes in case they have tummy issues. A couple of books or a lovey would be good too because you sit in recovery with your child until the nurses feel he is able to go home

Soapstone · May 2012

What was the procedure?Sedated brain MRI to check for cochlear implant candidacy. She also had a CT scan but that was without sedation.How old was your child?7 months How long did it take?30 minutes for the procedure, another 2 hours for recovery How was anesthesia and the recovery?Because she weighed less than 20lbs, we were able to use oral sedation, so no IVs or anything. She woke up just as they finished the scan and nursed, then fell back asleep for a couple of hours. She did throw up once we got home. When/How did you get the results?They called a few days later. Do you have any other tips?Bring an extra change of clothes for you and your child in case they vomit. Bring a sweater if you plan to go back for the scan because the room is pretty cold.

ToastieSimons · May 2012

Please share your MRI or other sedated procedure experience.

What was the procedure? DS has had 2 MRI's of his brain.

How old was your child? His first was at 5 days old and his second was at 3.5 months

How long did it take? 1-2 hours from IV placement to leaving.

How was anesthesia and the recovery? The first time he was in the NICU and orally anesthetized. He was groggy for the rest of the day. The 2nd time they tried to get an IV and just couldn't. We opted to come back a week later. They had anesthesia come place an IV and then we got him in the MRI room. They had me hold him while they started a slow drip of Propofol (which has about a 20 minute half life). As he calmed down I layed him on the MRI table so they could get him set up. I sang, patted and shushed and as the sedative when in his eyes got heavier and heavier. Finally he just nodded off and I backed away. He received Propofol and Versed. Recovery was easy. He was upset and screaming when I got him back and he drank about 2-3oz of formula. He slept the entire ride home and took a nice nap. He woke up back to himself.

When/How did you get the results? The first one we received results the next morning when the neonatologists did their rounds. The second one, we received the images immediately after and took it to the neurologists office a few days later. We also received a copy of the report in the meantime (it usually takes 1-3 days at our Children's hospital to receive the report)

Do you have any other tips? Bring something to occupy yourself that is mindless such as people magazine or a movie, or better yet a friend. Some hospitals allow you to stay with the child through the MRI, some do not. For us, they do not put the child to sleep before giving the IV. This works best for us as DS doesn't handle the gas very well and has a much harder time recovering.

realisticdreams · May 2012

Assembly_Reqd:
Welcome to the Special Needs Frequently Asked Question thread! Please feel free to also create your own post in a new thread if you need more information or support. We want as many parents as possible in your similar situation to 'see' your question. Please be specific and include the potential diagnosis or procedure in your post title.

Please share your MRI or other sedated procedure experience.

What was the procedure?
P: Brain, Lumbar, Brain/Lumbar, Lumbar, Lumbar
M: Brain, Lumbar

How old was your child?
P: 6months, 14 months, 18 months, 26 months, 29 months
M: 11 months, 14 months

How long did it take?
1-3 hours for sedation/scans

How was anesthesia and the recovery?
Every sedation is different. Sometimes P has been able to get up and walk, last time she couldn't walk for over 6 hours. Sometimes M cries for 30 mins waking up (she's had anesthesia other than for MRI as well), othertimes as long as she can suck her thumbs she's happy. We have never had vomiting and both have been able to drink milk/juice/water fine afterwards. Appetites aren't far behind the first drink after waking. You can expect lots of crying and confusion generally though. If you know your child sucks thumbs, tell them so they allow access for them to have those around the IV, etc.
Also hospital policy sometimes allows parents to be there when the child is put to sleep and sometimes it doesn't. We have done both. Honestly watching them get put out is..creepy. They scream and cry into the mask and then they are just OUT, with no monitors on yet or anything. If your child will be flat they most likely won't have a real breathing tube. If they do (we have a couple of times) then their voice may be crackily for a couple of days and their throat may hurt as well.

When/How did you get the results?
This is hospital specific, you should always get a CD when leaving but then report will probably not be ready (it can be, just not always). Reports must be picked up by you OR faxed to the ordering physician or pedi. I'm well versed in MRI reports but I recently had a report a radiologist read wrong so I was a basket case for a day until the follow up (imagine if it would have been longer!!). So it's probably best NOT to read the reports, lol

Do you have any other tips?
Expect to be at the hospital for a good couple of hours start to finish. We have been in and out in 3 hours or sometimes 6 hours, it all depends. Also we have been bumped before for an emergency MRI, even though it was 2pm and P hadn't eaten all day. It happens sometimes.
I remember ALWAYS worrying about the fasting rule and freaking out with the image of a baby screaming the whole way to the hospital that morning bc they didn't get their bottle. Knock on wood we have NEVER had this happen. They always seem to handle it fine and don't get fussy.
Anything your child likes/loves, bring it!

Paigeo · May 2012

Please share your MRI or other sedated procedure experience.

What was the procedure? My DD has had 2 sedated MRI's.

How old was your child? 1st one was at 5 months. 2nd one was just yesterday and DD is 4 yrs old.

How long did it take? Time actually in the MRI machine was about 40 minutes both times. Total time from when we get there till when we leave is 2-3 hours. We were able to stay with her the whole time. Were even allowed to sit in the room with the MRI machine which was nice.

How was anesthesia and the recovery? The one at 5 months DD was sedated with a suppository. This was great. It was easy on her and she woke up almost immediately after the MRI was over with no effects. The one at 4 years she had to have an IV. They 1st put numbing cream on the IV site and then gave her a liquid drug to drink. That made her super loopy. When they put in the actual IV she didn't seem to feel a thing. Then they put her completely under using the IV anesthesia. After the MRI was over they let her sleep for 30 minutes and then we woke her up. She woke up fine but was pretty groggy and irritated. When we got her home it was like having a drunk 4 year old for the rest of the afternoon. The drug affects seemed to wear off as they day went along and she is back to normal this morning.

When/How did you get the results? With the one yesterday her neurologist called a couple hours after we got home to tell us the results.

Do you have any other tips? No real tips other then bring some comfort items from home (blanket, stuffed animal, etc). Also bring extra clothes, socks, diapers etc.

ntyravgmom · May 2012

What was the procedure?

MRI of the brain

How old was your child?

3 1/2

How long did it take?

Several hours

How was anesthesia and the recovery?

The anesthesia was terrible! He had several reactions to it. First he got super angry and fought with us until my dh got him a wheel chair to move around and calm him down while the medication started to take affect. It was awful. I'd never seen him so upset. Second, he had an allergic reaction to it and broke out in hives. They had to give him benedryl as well. The nurses tried to hold him down to administer the IV and he tore it apart. They missed his veins several times. He was calm when he could watch what was going on. The last nurse did the best. Recovery was pretty good. They gave him juice and crackers afterward to get his strength up enough to walk out to go home.

When/How did you get the results?

It's hard to remember that far back. It was either 3-7 days later and I called the hospital for the results of the scans.

Do you have any other tips?

Nothing can really prepare you for seeing your child sedated, but you should expect it and do what's right for your own emotional well-being. The preparation the day before his the hardest part. The procedure isn't so bad, but the waiting until your child is finished is difficult. Bring a friend or relative to distract you.

Obsession · May 2012

What was the procedure? My son has had an MRI and Eye Surgery both under general anesthesia.

How old was your child? he was 3 for the eye surgery and 4 for the MRI

How long did it take? the eye surgery took 30 minutes, the MRI took an hour

How was anesthesia and the recovery? Each time, his recovery was quick. Both times we went home within hours of the procedure and he was fine by the time he came home.

When/How did you get the results? We received the MRI results via phone from our Neuro about 4 business days after MRI

Do you have any other tips? We wrapped up a bunch of my son's old toys he hadn't used in a very long time. After the surgery while in recovery, we gave him a new "present" every few minutes for him to open. He loved getting tons of new presents, it didn't cost me a thing, and kept him distracted while in recovery.

MaxandRuby · May 2012

Assembly_Reqd:

Please share your MRI or other sedated procedure experience. We had a sedated MRI (brain only) to help support a cerebral palsy diagnosis. His MRI showed moderate PVL (periventricular leukomalacia) with secondary Wallerian degeneration of the corpus callosum. He was also having blood drawn and given that he was already past nap time and ready to sleep, then went ahead and took him back, sedated him, and then drew his blood (so much easier for all involved to do this). I waited, with my MIL, about 30-45min from the time I left the room until we were allowed back in. We were not allowed to watch the actual procedure. It was scary to know that he was being sedated (only 1x so far in his life) but if he ever needed to be sedated again I would be less nervous about it. While the MRI doesn't provide a diagnosis for us, it helped support the CP diagnosis we had. I do want to add that the neurologist originally wanted to do a spinal tap while he was under but after asking many questions he ultimately admitted to the spinal tap not being medically necessary. Apparently the Children's Hospital we were at like to do them at the same time since both require a child to be sedated - so why not do them at the same time to avoid a second sedation. While I understand this thinking, it is never appropriate to do an invasive procedure (IMO) if it is not medically necessary. I did not allow them to do the spinal tap.

What was the procedure? Sedated MRI without contrast

How old was your child? just over 10mos old

How long did it take? 30-45min

How was anesthesia and the recovery? He seemed to have handled the anesthesia well (I was not present when they gave it to him though). He was still "out" when I was allowed to see him after the MRI. About 10min after I got there he started to wake up. They had me wait about a few minutes before feeding him and then I had to wait 20-30min after feeding him before we were allowed to leave (they wanted to make sure he wouldn't throw up his formula).

When/How did you get the results? The neurologist called me with the results the following day.

Do you have any other tips? Bring snacks for yourself or something for you to do during the actual MRI and bring a change of clothes for you and your child in case they vomit.

soontobeahigh · May 2012

This is great. DD is having an MRI on her brain Tuesday under general. They told us to be there at 6 am, we are the first as she is a "cardiac baby" and to expect to be there until about 1 or 2 pm. I will report back afterwards!

Mrs.Rose · August 2012

What was the procedure?

MRI of the brain, without contrast

How old was your child?

23 months

How long did it take?

3 hours from check in to leaving. 20 mins in the actual machine, 30 mins in recovery.

How was anesthesia and the recovery?

He got the suppository meds, and he did really well with them. He was upset when they put it in (understandable!) so they dimmed the lights, turned on lullaby music and the doctor blew bubbles while I rocked him. That combo worked like a charm to calm him down and he was out in about 5 mins after they gave him the meds.

When he woke up he was a little groggy at first and then acted like we gave him a couple margaritas. He was actually quite silly. He started to wake up immediately after they brought him out of the scan.

When/How did you get the results?

Test was today. They said our neuro would get the images in 3 days or so. She is always pretty prompt in calling us with results. Today is Wednesday, so I expect a call early next week.

Do you have any other tips?

We brought his "baby" stuffed monkey and a soft blanket from home. I also had one of his sippy cups ready and I put the juice they gave him in there. I dressed him in cotton shorts and a t-shirt and they let him wear that, and take his blanket and monkey into the scan.

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