Diagnostic Imaging Scans with Anesthesia

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Diagnostic Imaging Scans with Anesthesia Current Page

Why do some children get anesthesia before scans?

Your child might need anesthesia for a diagnostic imaging (DI) test such as a CT scan or MRI. It is important that children stay still during these tests so the images are clear.

Newborn baby sleeping on a white rug — The care team will decide whether to use anesthesia based on several factors such as your child’s age.

The care team will decide whether to use anesthesia based on several factors such as your child’s age.

For a sedated test (a test with anesthesia,) you may see as many as 4 appointments on your schedule.

Businesswoman points smartphone screen and checks calendar on application. — For a sedated test (a test with anesthesia,) you may see as many as 4 appointments on your schedule.

These include:

Sedation evaluation
Sedation
The imaging test
Sedation recovery

Your care team will instruct you and your child on how to prepare for the test. For some scans, your child may need to arrive early for any of these reasons:

An exam by a doctor or nurse
To get medicine before the test
To have an IV started

These factors may affect how long your child will wait before starting the test.

During the scan

The start and end times for your child's test may vary based on a few factors. The care team might need more time to get a different view or image or to perform more testing. Gathering more information does not mean that there is a medical issue with your child. The care team wants to make sure they have all they need to receive the most complete test results.

Sedation recovery

Sedation recovery takes place after the test when your child wakes up from anesthesia. The care team moves your child to a recovery area. Nurses watch vital signs, breathing, and alertness to be sure your child can safely leave the testing area. This time can vary based on how quickly your child wakes and recovers from sedation.

A parent or caregiver must wait in the waiting room while a child is sedated.

Child sleeping on white pillow — Sedation recovery takes place after the test when your child wakes up from anesthesia.

Key points

Based on age and other factors, your child might need anesthesia for a diagnostic imaging (DI) test.
For a sedated DI test, your schedule might show as many as 4 appointments: sedation evaluation, sedation, the test itself, and sedation recovery.
If a scan takes longer than planned or staff says they need to get a different view, that does not mean there is a medical issue with your child. The doctors want to be sure they have enough information to get the most complete test results.

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Reviewed: March 2022