Sedation in pediatric neuroimaging: the science and the art.

Sedation of infants and children for neuroimaging is a "necessary evil" that will be with us for the foreseeable future. Sedation must be accompanied safely in all patients with a high frequency of success on the first attempt. A carefully-considered written sedation plan that addresses the issues raised in this review will assure maximum safety and success in sedating infants and children at each facility involved in pediatric neuroimaging. An affirmative approach and careful attention to both the science and the art of pediatric sedation by all concerned professionals will produce excellent results and facilitate application of current imaging technology in the diagnosis of pediatric neurologic disease.