Preparing children with a mock scanner training protocol results in high quality structural and functional MRI scans

Abstract

We evaluated the use of a mock scanner training protocol as an alternative for sedation and for preparing young children for (functional) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Children with severe mental retardation or developmental disorders were excluded. A group of 90 children (median age 6.5 years, range 3.65–14.5 years) participated in this study. Children were referred to the actual MRI investigation only when they passed the training. We assessed the pass rate of the mock scanner training sessions. In addition, the quality of both structural and functional MRI (fMRI) scans was rated on a semi-quantitative scale. The overall pass rate of the mock scanner training sessions was 85/90. Structural scans of diagnostic quality were obtained in 81/90 children, and fMRI scans with sufficient quality for further analysis were obtained in 30/43 of the children. Even in children under 7 years of age, who are generally sedated, the success rate of structural scans with diagnostic quality was 53/60. FMRI scans with sufficient quality were obtained in 23/36 of the children in this younger age group. The association between age and proportion of children with fMRI scans of sufficient quality was not statistically significant. We conclude that a mock MRI scanner training protocol can be useful to prepare children for a diagnostic MRI scan. It may reduce the need for sedation in young children undergoing MRI. Our protocol is also effective in preparing young children to participate in fMRI investigations.

A crucial role for white matter alterations in interference control problems of very preterm children

“…MRI took place at the VU Medical Center. A simulation scanner was used for subjects to get comfortable with the scanner environment and procedures (30).…”

Single Breath-Hold Physiotherapy Technique: Effective tool for T2* magnetic resonance imaging in young patients with thalassaemia major

“…A study by de Bie et al evaluated the use of a mock scanner training protocol as an alternative for sedation and for preparing young children for MRI scans. 18 In their cohort of 90 children aged 3.65-14.5 years old, 85 children passed the mock scanner training sessions. 18 The mock scanner is a full-scale replica of an MRI system without magnets and requires the services of a doctor to conduct the training sessions for several days to a maximum of three weeks before the real MRI is carried out.…”

“…18 In their cohort of 90 children aged 3.65-14.5 years old, 85 children passed the mock scanner training sessions. 18 The mock scanner is a full-scale replica of an MRI system without magnets and requires the services of a doctor to conduct the training sessions for several days to a maximum of three weeks before the real MRI is carried out. The purpose of Cinemavision (Salvadorini Consulting LLC) is to allow patients to forget their surroundings while they watch a movie/ television or listen to music/radio.…”

Motor, sensory and executive function brain networks in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

“…We elect to avoid the use of routine sedation or anaesthesia by inviting all children to attend a mock scanner prior to the true scan. This method has been shown to allow high quality image acquisition 29 .…”

“…Preparing children for MRI with the use of a mock scanner has been shown to allow high quality MRI acquisition without anaesthesia or sedation 29 . Our centre along with many others have successfully employed this strategy with multiple large cohorts of children with CP, typically developing children and other conditions.…”