Information about Your Child's MRI Scan MRI Department Clinical Support Services Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby This leaflet has been designed to give you important information about your condition / procedure, and to answer some common queries that you may have.
Introduction This leaflet is to explain what an MRI is and should help you to be able to make an informed decision about the procedure for your child. What is an MRI scan? Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses a very strong magnet, radio-waves and a computer to get cross-sectional pictures or slices of the internal organs and tissues of the body. An MRI scan can be used to examine almost any part of the body, including the: brain and spinal cord bones and joints heart and blood vessels, and other internal organs The results of an MRI scan can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been. What is an MRI scanner like? The scanner is like a large packet of polo mints. It is open at both ends with lights inside and a microphone so the Radiographer can see and hear you throughout the examination. At certain times during the scan, the scanner will make loud tapping noises. This is the electric current in the scanner coils being turned on and off. What happens before my scan if my child is having sedation / general anasethesia? You will be contacted prior to the MRI scan by a paediatric pre-assessment nurse and either seen face to face or as a telephone consultation. All questions you may have will be answered and advice given. During this pre-assessment a decision will be made in conjunction with the anaesthetist as to whether your child is able to have the MRI in the department or needs referral to a Children s Hospital. An appointment letter, fasting instructions and a safety questionnaire will be sent to you stating the date and time of the appointment. Please complete the safety questionnaire before attending the appointment and follow the fasting instructions in preparation for the MRI scan to be done under a general anaesthetic. On the day of the MRI scan your child should go to the MRI department at Grimsby hospital at the time stated in the letter. The safety questionnaire will be checked and you will be seen by a paediatric nurse. Observations will be recorded and a local anaesthetic cream will be applied in preparation for the MRI. The anaesthetist will see your child and discuss the suitability for general anaesthetic or sedation for your child with you and consent obtained for the agreed procedure. A child under one year s of age will not be suitable for a general anaesthetic and sedation will be given. Fasting instructions are unchanged for general anaesthetic and sedation. What happens before my scan if my baby is not having general anasethesia / sedation? In some instances with young babies it may be possible for the baby to be given a milk feed and the scan to be performed while they are sleeping after the feed. In these instances you will be required to ensure your baby is ready for a feed on arrival in the MRI
department and asked to bring the babies next feed with you to be taken while in the department. After your baby has been fed and is asleep the MRI will be performed. This option has a high success rate depending on how deeply your baby sleeps after a feed. Will he / she have to undress? Your child will change into a gown in the MRI department, all loose metal and jewellery need to be removed before the scan. Does it hurt? No. If your child is having a general anaesthetic an anaesthetic gas will need to be administered via a facemask this can be distressing for the child and sometimes parents it takes 10-20 seconds for the anaesthetic to work. You are able to stay with your child until they have had the anaesthetic gas after which you will be shown to the seating area provided until the scan is complete. Your child will require a cannula (a thin tube inserted into a vein to give medication); this will be inserted once they are anaesthetised. If your child is sedated for the MRI scan they will have to swallow some oral medication, this does not hurt. They may still require a cannula but as the child is only sedated inserting a cannula may wake them and the scan may have to be abandoned. The anaesthetist will discuss this with you. The anaesthetic / sedation is given to ensure the child remains still during the procedure to enable the Radiographer to get clear images. How long does it take? Your child s scan is tailored to meet their needs so may vary in time but generally takes between 30-60 minutes. The Radiographer may request your child has a contrast scan as part of the investigation. The contrast will be injected into the cannula. If this is the case the scan will take a little longer. You should allow at least half a day for your child s appointment. Are there any side effects? Your child will feel drowsy after the scan if they have had anaesthetic / sedation so will remain in the MRI department until recovered, the paediatric nurse, along with a recovery nurse and the anaesthetist, will ensure your child s safety during recovery. Once the team and you are happy your child has recovered you will be able to take them home. There is a slight chance your child may need admission to the children s ward to continue their recovery. Discharge Information If your child has had sedation / anaesthetic they should rest for 24 hours. They can then resume usual activities You should take your child home by private transport only i.e. car/taxi. Where possible do not use public transport as this will only delay your arrival home, when your child should be resting. Your child may have a sore throat following the MRI scan, if they have had a general anaesthetic. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen can be given if required - refer to manufacturers guidelines for appropriate dose.
What about the results? After the MRI scan the consultant radiologist will study the scan images and then send a report to the doctor who referred your child, this can take up to two weeks. Benefits The MRI scan will assist your child s doctor to make a diagnosis. Alternatives Your child s doctor will advise you of any alternate investigations that would be appropriate. Reference Section http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mriscan/pages/introduction.aspx Contact Details for Further Information If you have any questions regarding the MRI contact: MRI appointments 01472 875229 Paediatric Preassessment Team 01472 302301 Concerns and Queries If you have any concerns / queries about any of the services offered by the Trust, in the first instance, please speak to the person providing your care. For Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital Alternatively you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on (01472) 875403 or at the PALS office which is situated near the main entrance. For Scunthorpe General Hospital Alternatively you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on (01724) 290132 or at the PALS office which situated on C Floor. Alternatively you can email: nlg-tr.pals@nhs.net Confidentiality Information on NHS patients is collected in a variety of ways and for a variety of reasons (e.g. providing care and treatment, managing and planning the NHS, training and educating staff, research etc.). Everyone working for the NHS has a legal duty to keep information about you confidential. Information will only ever be shared with people who have a genuine need for it (e.g. your GP or other professionals from whom you have been receiving care) or if the law requires it, for example, to notify a birth. Please be assured however that anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to keep it confidential. Zero Tolerance - Violent, Threatening and Abusive Behaviour The Trust and its staff are committed to providing high quality care to patients within the department. However, we wish to advise all patients / visitors that the following inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated: Swearing Threatening / abusive behaviour Verbal / physical abuse The Trust reserves the right to withdraw from treating patients whom are threatening /
abusive / violent and ensuring the removal of those persons from the premises. All acts of criminal violence and aggression will be notified to the Police immediately. Risk Management Strategy The Trust welcomes comments and suggestions from patients and visitors that could help to reduce risk. Perhaps you have experienced something whilst in hospital, whilst attending as an outpatient or as a visitor and you felt at risk. Please tell a member of staff on the ward or in the department you are attending / visiting. Moving & Handling The Trust operates a Minimal Lifting Policy, which in essence means patients are only ever lifted by nursing staff in an emergency situation. Patients are always encouraged to help themselves as much as possible when mobilising, and if unable to do so, equipment may be used to assist in their safe transfer. If you have any questions regarding moving and handling of patients within the Trust, please speak to a member of staff in the ward or department you are visiting. Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust Diana Princess of Wales Hospital Scartho Road Grimsby 01472 874111 Scunthorpe General Hospital Cliff Gardens Scunthorpe 01724 282282 Goole & District Hospital Woodland Avenue Goole 01405 720720 www.nlg.nhs.uk Date of issue: January, 2016 Review Period: January, 2019 Author: Sister & Staff Nurse DPOW Paediatric Outpatient IFP-900 v1.1 NLGFT 2016