MRI under general anaesthesia - 15 month old?

[Acidrain]

My son has severe deafness in one ear.

We have had numerous appointments with our ENT consultant who said that as it's only one ear, it's not worth investigating and sent us for a MRI not under general, of you can imagine was a waste of time. She referred us to a peadatrician for a developmental review.
At the developmental review, she was happy with his movements (still not walking), crawls lopsided. And I mentioned about how silly it was to try an MRI with a then 13 month old. Our pediatrician has now asked for an MRI under general anaesthesia (at a hospital 60 miles away) to rule out any underlaying conditions.

My DH seems to think they have only offered us this as I have asked them to look into it and not because he needs it. And for that reason it's not worth the risk of the general anaesthesia and having to fast before the appointment.

I feel that I couldn't live with myself that if we don't get it done and there is something wrong, I couldn't live with the fact I had an option for them to look and rule it out, hopefully there would be nothing wrong and his hearing loss is 'just one of them things.'

Although there is a small serious risk with a general anathestic, I how have no idea what to do, wether to go ahead and get it done or not.
Not really any questions just wondering if anyone had a similar experience?

Not for deafness but DS had a brain MRI at 18 months and he's due one for his back in a few weeks (3.5 years)

Utterly ridiculous to offer it without anaesthetic at that age!

Does he have any underlying medical issues - esp heart or lungs?

It's a very short sedation, doesn't require full intubation and you should be able to go home the next day.

Personally I'd take it. They aren't cheap, they wonnt offer to any random parent asking, only if there's a reason to check. It's likely nothing but agree I'd want to be sure

Why at a hospital so far away??

As a parent I was terrified when one of my DC needed a procedure under GA. as a professional I would reassure anybody that the risk is minimal. It would not be offered if unnecessary.

my dd had 14 general aneasthetics before she was 2 1/2

While eveyr GA carries a risk, it is worth it if there is a need. MRIs are really helpful at ruling out underlying issues.

Being deaf in one ear os not a small thing, it will effect his speech, and then his ability to learn phonics, and how he interacts in the classroom

Add to the fact that he crawls lopsided, I would really want him checked.

As to the fasting, the children's hospital we went to (bristol) had them fast overnight and come in at 7:30 am, then they started with youngest firs. this was often my dd and so we were in and out before she had time to start moaning about breakfast

Our local hospital doesn't have a MRI machine that he can go in that's compatabile with monitoring equipment for GA, the nearest one that far away

Yeah really stupid, the radiographer when we arrived was shocked that it was even considered as an option and should have been referred to the other hospital.

Not that we are aware of just deafness and a webbed toe.

Yeah, that is what I thought, I have been persistent with them as they don't take single sided deafness that serious as they take a 'wait and see' approach but the NHS guidelines suggest that they should rule out certain types of syndromes and bengin tumours around the cochlear before they say they can't pinpoint it what's caused it.

On our information booklet it suggests we would be discharged the same day, but will keep an overnight bag in the car just incase.

The appointments came for 12pm, and no food after 6am so it sounds like we will be up nice and early for a snack.
Just worried about driving 60 miles with a starving 1 year old in the back - maybe I should get a hotel near the hospital the night beforehand?
Yeah the crawling and the hearing and his little webbed toe is what makes me feel like he needs to be checked.

wake up early, have a big breakfast, and then drive, he will fall asleep again in the car.
I think the car is more distracting than a strange hotel room

Also double check your notes.

Ours is 1 pm so on ward for 11.
No food past 7 but he can have water til 11.

So well get him up at 6 ish, get him some oral food, give his some tummy milk and then hide everything from sight he has good hunting instincts 😂 😂 😂. Water cup til 11.

If he's having GLGA then letting him sleep before is fine and will help. It's only for other sedation they ask for no naps.

This MRI might not be our first GA rodeo lol

Just to let you know, the usual thing is - all afternoon ops check in at 12. Then follows all the pre-op stuff, so a visit from anaesthetist and checking temp/pulse signing forms etc.
The afternoons list may start at eg 1pm, and with children they usually sned the youngest in first. At 15 months he may be the first, or he may be the second or third on the list.

So they may be a fair bit of hanging around.
Good childrens wards have a play room, but for an MRI, I doubt there is a playroom, so take a bag of toys with you (or an ipad!)

My son had one last month and I was petrified but it was fine: he was home the same day. There was a play room with loads to keep him busy and they keep the nil by mouth children separate and have signs asking parents not to eat too.

I was able to go with my son and hold him while he had the GA administered and then about an hour later was called back in to comfort him while he was waking up.

He was a bit grizzly when he woke but then calmed down, had some food and a cuddle watching cartoons and we were allowed home an hour or so later.

It really isn’t that bad and I think driving up the morning is a lot better and distracting from a nil by mouth point of view! Get up early, big breakfast, and take some snacks for him to have when he wakes up (we had quite a wait for the hospital meal to arrive).

My DD is profoundly deaf in one ear and we were never offered an MR to investigate this, and this was alongside a few congenital abnormalities and slight development delays known in her younger years. Just incase you are interested to hear other folks experience of one-sided deafness. You could try ringing the NDCS charity for their thoughts. They are very helpful. There is a leaflet on this type of hearing loss but I can’t remember if it covers this topic.

About the GA MRs, my DD has since (aged 6 onwards) had a lot of MRs for other reasons, all under GAs and they have all been really fine.

My dd has had 2 MRI under General when she was 11 months and 22 months. The first one she had breakfast at 5am only clear liquid till 8am, the 2nd she didn't wake for breakfast so had nothing but the drs gave her juice at lunchtime as it was clear she was last on the list her scan wasnt done till 5pm she was fine both times.

It's very interesting Chocl8 that you where never offered one. Did you ever find the cause of the hearing loss? Did you have any investigating done in to the cause of the hearing loss.

NDCS have been fantastic help and our local group has also been brilliant.
How's your DD doing at school?
Sorry for all the questions.

Thank you everyone for all the tips and ideas.

Just to add my son was 18 months and was first on the afternoon list: the nurse said they tend to do the youngest ones first for GA MRIs, and at our hospital they only do 2 or 3 children each session and they get priority over adults. Hopefully it will be the same for you and you won’t have a hangry baby!

No, the hearing loss was never investigated as such and we don’t have a reason for it. That said, it so happens that my DD has complex health so there’s lots of things that we don’t know the reason for. Audiologists have never ever mentioned finding out why - they just deal with the fact that it is how it is.

For school, she got a hearing aid age 4. Seemed a good idea and she was fine with it but it when she was older she stopped because it wasn’t helping. Might be ok for you with the loss being severe thought (it is hard to aid for profound). She has also tried a CROS aid (not so popular) and a radio aid, Roger Pen (more popular). She copes pretty well if teachers are aware and sit her in the front and correct side. Group work is the trickiest, and that’s where Roger Pen helped in Primary school. Our teacher of the deaf has always been very helpful even though it’s ‘only’ one sided loss.
All the best with things for your DS.