advice - 9 year old and MRI

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

Just got a call from DS consultant's secretary, and DS is being scheduled for an MRI.
The option was under general anaethetic or not, which I would like to avoid if possible.
Is this realistic?
Any advice?

My DS, he was 8 at the time had a MRI scan on his head with no GA or sedation.....he was fine no problems at all.

When I had mine.....the story is completely different

Oh brilliant, thank you.
Yes, it will be on his head too.
Do you remember how long it lasted?

depends.
what end? and is dc generally calm?

dc had multiple scans (mri&ct) on leg at that age without ga. the play therapist? explained everything before and also the hcp preparing were calm and explained everything well.

btw there are a few youtube clips, maybe have a look and watch one together?

It's very noisy, head inside the machine, he will have to lie completely still for around 45 minutes or so. He won't be able to see you, but you may be allowed to stand in the room and hold his leg so he knows you're there.

I'd go for GA for my child, but you know your son best.

Dd had one without the anaesthetic at that age, whilst it wasn't ideal she managed. She said it would have been better without music as she wanted to tap her foot. The noise was frightening and made her cry.
She says an anaesthetic would have been her preferred option if she had known what it was going to be like because it freaked her out.

DS should be if you prepare him.
There will be knocking and banging noises, the machine will turn on and off.
I can't recall exactly, but I think I was told dc's would take 20 mins, with small breaks in between to adjust the machine etc. Her head was sand-bagged (which is much less brutal than it sounds!) to help hold it still.
You'll be able to be in the room to chatter and distract (minus big bits of metal of course!)

'fine if'

Oh, and she says watching a video first helped but it didn't prepare her for the noise.

My 8 year old had an MRI brain scan a few weeks ago and was absolutely fine. I showed him a YouTube clip before and he wore headphones. His dad sat beside him throughout the scan and they made him comfortable and secured his head. I was really worried about him moving but he kept perfectly still. It took about 20 mins I would say.

He needs to stay completely still. He will have headphones. Some children can at 9 and some won't. You know yours.

If he's in the least bit claustrophobic I'd recommend a general anasthetic

What type of machine? My DD had a head MRI at 5yo with the newest type on MRI - more like a donut than a tube - and she was fine. Her head was in a plastic cage, I was in the room holding her leg and it lasted 45 minutes. She said she liked the noise and she fell asleep half way through.