MRI of central nervous system under general anaesthesia with laryngeal mask airway in childhood

Our anaesthetic experience and outcomes in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning are presented, unpremedicated 417 children were included in this study. Heart rate (HR), noninvasive blood pressure (BP) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were monitored by MRI-compatible equipment during MRI scanning in all children. Induction of anaesthesia was performed with 4-8% sevoflurane inhalation in 50% nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture using Mapleson D breathing circuit by an MRI-compatible anaesthesia machine. After providing regular spontaneous ventilation, an appropriate sized classic laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was positioned. Then anaesthesia and ventilation were maintained with approximately 1-1.5% sevoflurane inhalation in 50% nitrous oxide oxygen mixture using the circle system. MRI studies of all the children were completed successfully with satisfactory image quality. HR, BP and SpO ₂ remained within safe limits throughout MRI scanning. Vomiting was observed in 22 children out of 417 which resolved spontaneously without any antiemetic therapy. Oral intake was established within 20 minutes of anaesthesia completion in children. All of the children were discharged within 1 hour after admission to the postanaesthesia care unit. In conclusion, LMA used under general anaesthesia in children undergoing MRI scanning was uneventful allowing satisfactory image quality and prompt discharge of children with far fewer complications resulting from general anaesthesia.