MRI examination and monitoring of pediatric patients under sedation.

From April 1992 to May 1994, 780 patients aged from 1 day to 8 years were examined. Sedation of these patients was conducted by giving chlorprothixene orally and, in some cases, chloral hydrate had to be added. The patients were monitored with a pulse oxymeter. Investigations could begin after 50 -120 min. In 710 patients (91%) the first attempt to perform the examination was successful; 70 patients required one or two further attempts. Only two of the 780 patients (0.5%) showed evidence of respiratory depression. The total number of pediatric MRI examinations performed in 1 year is almost 1000. In the hands of an experienced pediatric radiologist these examinations can be performed entirely without anesthesia.