Diagnostic Imaging Scans Without Anesthesia

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Diagnostic Imaging Scans Without Anesthesia Current Page

Medical staff assist with diagnostic image scan. — Children may be able to have an imaging scan without anesthesia if they can stay still. Staying still is necessary to get a clear image.

Your child may not need anesthesia for a scan. The care team will recommend anesthesia if your child cannot stay still during a scan.

Staying still is necessary to get a clear image.

Here are some advantages to staying awake during a scan:

While anesthesia is safe, it is not risk-free. You avoid these risks if your child stays awake.
There is no pain during a scan. Your child will not be hurting.
Visits are shorter. Your child will not need an evaluation for sedation and will not spend time in recovery after the scan.
Your child can eat in most cases. Your care team will let you know if your child cannot eat before a scan. This is called NPO (nothing by mouth.)
Your child may enjoy a movie or music during the scan.

How the process works

Tell your child's doctor or nurse that your child would like to try a scan while awake.

Your medical team will schedule an appointment to decide if your child can stay still long enough for the scan. A child life specialist will help your child prepare.

Before your child can have scans without anesthesia in the future:

The child must complete one scan without anesthesia.
The image quality must be good.
Your child must feel comfortable during that scan.

Some scans may require sedation because of how it is done or how long it takes.

Tips for success

If a scan is early in the morning, have your child stay up a little later than normal the night before. If the scan is late in the day, have your child get up early or avoid napping before the scan time. When tired, your child is more likely to fall asleep during the scan.
Practice at home by asking your child to stay still for longer and longer periods of time before trying it at the hospital.
Talk to your child's doctor or nurse about ways to help your child be more comfortable during scans.

If your child struggles to stay still during a scan, the care team can:

Talk to your child
Help them practice
Help you figure out what works best to lead them to success

If your child cannot stay still the first or second time, that's OK. Your child can always try again during a future visit.

Key points

There are several benefits to staying awake during a scan.
Tell your doctor or nurse if your child would like to try a scan while awake.
Staff can help your child prepare to stay awake for a scan. Once successful, your child may be awake for future scans.
Some scans may still require sedation because of how the scan is done or how long it takes.

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Reviewed: February 2022