MRI with sedation safe for my child? Doctors?

[momoftwo74]

Hi, a Neurologist has ordered an MRI and EEG for my son. He has been having episodes that may be seizures when he is asleep and just after he wakes up. I have an earlier post about his symptoms. My son is 21 months old and of course would not lie still for an MRI so the doctor said he would  be sedated, probably with medication given intravaneously. The doctor says it is safe, however he also said that there are always risks when you put someone to sleep. My questions are: How is the sedation different than general anesthesia? What kind(s) of medicines are used? What are the chances that my son will have a bad reaction to the medicine and what are the most common reactions to the sedation? Is there a chance that the medicine will cause breathing problems or is there even a chance that he might not wake up? The MRI is being done at the Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta, outpatient Radiology. Because my son's episodes are happening when he sleeps and the Neurologist thinks they may be mild benign seizures that arent dangerous in and of themselves Im wondering If the risks of the sedation outweigh the benefits of a diagnosis. The doctor suspects that the MRI will be normal but wants to rule out anything serious going on.
Does anyone have info or does  anyone have a child that has had an MRI with sedation?

[momoftwo74]

Thanks for the reply. Im glad to hear reports from other moms about their own child's experience with sedation duiring MRI. It makes me feel so much better about taking my own child. I know that even though the Neurologist expects normal results, my husband and I can rest easier knowing that anything serious has been ruled out when it comes to our son's health. Thanks again!

[ShakinThingzUp]

My son was 6, when he received his MRI at Duke Medical Center.

They were so well trained they knew exactly how long he needed to be asleep.  They gave him the medicine through IV and a male nurse carried him to the MRI room in his arms.  He returned with him exactly thirty minutes later and placed him in the bed beside where I sat.  Another nurse brought in juice about 2 minutes later and gently tried to wake him.  He awoke right away & drank the juice as instructed.  He never knew he left the room.

I was amazed at how well the medicine works, that according to body weight, etc. they can determine how much to give to sleep for just the right period of time and no more.

I think its much better than general anesthesia.

God Bless!
Amy

[momoftwo74]

Thanks for sharing your experience with me. Im not sure if the doc ordered an MRI with contrast or not. I was worried about sedation since my sone is only 21 months. But your baby was alot younger and she did ok so that makes me feel much better about it. I think there is also an oral medication that they can give as well. I would feel much better about that or maybe they can give it in the smae method they did with your daughter. Egleston is a children only hospital, so I do feel like the radiology department there is a good one for children. Im definately going to ask to get my own copy.Thanks again for replying. Keep me posted on what the doc says about your daughter's test results

[precious5oh]

My daughter is six months old and she had an MRI done last month.  Of course she was sedated.  They gave her rectal Thiopental Sodium.  Basically squirted it up her bum and then she fell asleep in my arms a few minutes later.  Sedation is like making you in a deep sleep, for a period of time and then still have the ability to wake up quickly.  General knocks you out and there is a period of time for you to fully awaken from it.I know they use IV sedation when they want an MRI with contrast, to look even closer at things that show up better with contrast (tumors, lesions,etc.).  My daughter woke up everytime he MRI scanned a new image, but it was just a slight startle reaction and she was back alseep.  Once the test was done she came out and they stirred her a bit and she was wide awake.  She was very restful the rest of the day.

My daughter had her MRI done, they did not expect to find anything...  But, they did and we are awaiting a neuro appt to find out the impact of hypoplasia of the corpus callosum.  I cannot answer any of your breathing concerns but i can tell you they are watched very closely and my daughter had a heart monitor, respiration monitor and a oxygen level monitor on for the entire test with one nurse whose job was to watch those things.  We had the option of going in,which we did for a few minutes to make sure she would remain asleep.  It is very loud and we opted to get some food and come back.  I can say that you should always request a copy of the MRI for your records.  We had to get ours on DVD and pay 10 dollars for it, but we have it.

Hope that helps some and it is just our experience.  I hope someone else can answer some of your other questions.