Image Quality MRI Scans: Comparing Sedated and Nonsedated Pediatric Patients

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine whether the absence of sedation significantly affects the diagnostic quality of MRI studies or results in significantly increased scanning times due to the need for repeat imaging.

Methods

A retrospective study of nonsedated and sedated children imaged during 2004. The study radiologist assessed image quality.

Results

Nonsedated children on an average had 2 min shorter scanned time, however, nonsedated children had 50% more repeated sequences than the sedated children.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that with adequate presedation evaluation, children can receive quality MRIs regardless of sedation status. No differences were found in the overall evaluation of the scans.

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