Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

MRI for a 7 year old - any tips

12 replies

EColi · 11/11/2010 22:23

We are waiting for an appointment for 7 year old dd for an MRI of her spine and pelvis. Not sure what to expect so wondered if anyone has been there and done that and has any tips to keep dd calm etc. Do they always go 'in' head first? Was wondering, since they don't need to scan her head, whether that would need to be in the scanner.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

alfabetty · 11/11/2010 22:26

Not sure but some hospitals have 'open' scanners where you are in the middle of a "C" shaped scanner rather than a tube. So open on one side.

I had my brain scan in an open scanner as I'm terribly claustrophobic and it was much better.

It can be quite noisy, but I think you can stay in the room with her. Hope someone will be along soon with some better advice!

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 11/11/2010 22:28

dd had one a couple of years ago. She was quite a bit older than your dd though. She went in feet first for a cardiac MRI but did go right in and did feel pretty claustraphobic. She was well over an hour and a half in the machine though. Hopefully your dd with be faster as it's a long time to lie still.

mumonthenet · 11/11/2010 22:34

dd 12(at the time) so I appreciate a bit older than yours.

Hers was on leg and I don't think she went all the way in (will have to ask her) - they played music for her and also gave her a button to press if she wanted to get out. Her only comment was that it was "very bor-ing"

Hope someone else will be along with more advice for you.

Original poster

EColi · 11/11/2010 22:35

Thanks for the speedy replies - OMG at an hour and a half, dd isn't still for that long ever, and if they played music she would try to dance..

OP posts:

RosyBelle · 12/11/2010 22:49

My 7 yr old had a Head MRI in january. I'm afraid she went in a head brace to keep her head still (not needed for you :-)) and this was extremely stressful for her. However the lady explained that a sedation would mean a late stay in hosp so she knew she had to go through it.She went in head 1st (my sister had a pelvic one and she went in feet 1st)and the music didn't help her much but i was able to go in and hold her hand throughout. The other good news for you is that it only took 15 minutes.
They allowed her to take a teddy in with her (as long as it doesn't contain metal) and they placed the teddy in the scanner 1st to show her what would happen.
It is noisy but its lots of clunks and bangs rather than continuous noise - no bells, whistles or alarms.
The best bit for us was the result - they were looking for a brain tumor and didn't find one :-)
Good luck

starfishmummy · 12/11/2010 23:10

Very noisy! DS has had two - a whole body one which took ages and a head and neck which was much shorter. DH and I went in with him and there were ear defenders for us but it was still loud.

DS had his at a childrens hospital so we were able to take a favourite cd along for him rather than relying on their choice of music.

Last time he didn't keep very still and the images are not good enough. It has only taken the hospital 18 months to tell us that so he will have to have another under sedation. (Thank goodness it is not something life threatening).

activate · 12/11/2010 23:12

they have music or videos for children

talk to her about it first

activate · 12/11/2010 23:13

adults have head braces too with head MRIs IME

RosyBelle · 13/11/2010 11:36

Activate I'm sure they do but that doesn't stop it being stressful for a 7 yr old.

activate · 13/11/2010 11:44

sorry I thought you were implying that head braces aren't needed for adults when they are standard

I had a panic attack during my last head MRI - and i've had countless over the last few years

I think children do deal with it far better than we imagine they will

mrspear · 13/11/2010 11:52

my DS had one at three months - so can't be specific about age only what happens. You will be called to the childrens ward where sedation will be given - not to make a dead sleep but for calming purposes. Then she will be tsken on a bed and you should be able to stand beside if not pregnant You will have ear plugs as it is noisy with lots of banging.
There was a little girl of about 7 when DS had his - despite the meds she didn't stay still so they just said come back another day. They were not be cross; they understand how hard it is for children to keep still

Original poster

EColi · 13/11/2010 22:21

Thanks for everyone's comments so far. I'll warn her about the noise and it's good news that some people have gone in feet first, I would guess that's slightly less claustrophobic.

OP posts:

Flip