Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Children especially under age 8 cannot lie still enough for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or are afraid of noise and narrow spaces so sedation is necessary for high quality imaging. The aim of this study was to compare Midazolam - Ketamine combination and Thiopental sedation for children undergoing MRI.

Materials and Methods: Forty randomly selected patients undergoing MRI classified as ASA physical status I and II aged between 0-8 were included in this study after receiving institutional approval from Ethics Committee. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 received Midazolam iv 0.1 mg kg + Ketamine iv 2 mg kg followed by an additional dose of Ketamine 0.5 mg kg. Group 2 received Thiopental iv 3 mg kg followed by an additional dose of Thiopental 1 mg kg when needed. University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS) was applied. UMSS score 3 and higher were accepted for effective sedation and the patients underwent MRI. Demographic data induction process recovery and total sedation times MRI quality total anesthetic dose amount systolic and diastolic blood pressure at every 5 minutes from the beginning peak heart rate and saturation values and complications were recorded.

Results: There was no significant difference in terms of age and weight between the two groups. The average induction time total sedation time and recovery time of Group 1 was significantly longer than that of Group 2 (p=0.001, p=0.035, p=0.038). There were no significant differences in PHR SBP DBP and SpO2 distributions at all times. Evaluations of the families of Midazolam – Ketamine group’s patients were recorded as 19 very satisfied 1 satisfied while evaluations of the families of Thiopental group’s patients were recorded as 18 very satisfied 2 satisfied. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of imaging quality. No side effects or complications were observed for both groups.

Discussion: Thiopental was found to be a safe alternative to Midozolam – Ketamine combination in MRI. High image quality anesthesia induction time and short recovery time make Thiopental a more effective anesthetic agent for MRI.

Key words: Magnetic resonance imaging, midozolam, ketamine, thiopenthal