The open, upright MRI machine is much better tolerated by patients who are claustrophobic. The scans can be performed with the patient sitting, lying down, or standing. People can watch television while the scans are performed. The unit is open in the front, back, and top.
Many patients find that an oral benzodiazepine, such as Xanax, Ativan, or Valium, taken prior to the exam sufficiently relieves their anxiety and allows them to complete an MRI with relative ease.
Patients with certain conditions that may prevent them from staying still in the MRI machine, such as claustrophobia, anxiety, or any condition that causes physical pain, may qualify for an MRI with sedation. What medications are used? Propofol or Versed will be given through an I.V. to induce conscious sedation.
Ask your doctor for a sedative
Medication is often necessary if you're worried that claustrophobia could induce a panic attack during the MRI. If you know you'll need extra assistance with relaxation during an MRI, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a sedative to put you to sleep for your MRI scan.
For patients who may experience claustrophobia during an MRI scan and require prophylaxis, the University of Wisconsin Department of Radiology suggests the use of Lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta), a short-to-intermediate duration benzodiazepine.
Ketamine is used as a sedative for MRI because its analgesic component is not necessary for MRI.
Many MRI procedures don't require your head to go inside the machine at all, but if you need a head or upper spine MRI, you'll appreciate the fact our machine provides a full 12 inches of clearance between your face and the wall – relieving stress for our patients with claustrophobia.
Conclusion: The use of melatonin before the musculoskeletal MRI in preschool children is an effective, safe, and inexpensive alternative to standard sedation and general anesthesia in preventing motion artifacts.
An MRI scanner is a short cylinder that's open at both ends. You'll lie on a motorised bed that's moved inside the scanner. You'll enter the scanner either head first or feet first, depending on the part of your body being scanned.
A CT scan may be recommended if a patient can't have an MRI. People with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted devices shouldn't have an MRI due to the powerful magnet inside the machine. CT scans create images of bones and soft tissues.
When not properly accommodated during an MRI, claustrophobic patients may experience panic attacks, which can bring on increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, chills, sweating, and other distressing symptoms.
A. Diazepam 5 mg po, once for MRI study or Lorazepam 1mg po, once for MRI study.
Fear of MRI is extremely common and tunnel MRI scanners can be particularly triggering and traumatic, as patients must lie still in a tunnel for between 15 and 90 minutes. Some patients even need sedation to stay calm enough to get through the experience.
The use of immobilization masks ensures that the MRI and CT exams are performed in the same treatment position (TP).
As a result of the foreign body's ease of movement in the strong magnetic field at this period, your vision is seriously threatened. Because of this, radiologists advise keeping your eyes closed throughout an MRI to protect them.
Of course, this isn't necessarily a quick procedure like an X-ray or a CT scan. MRIs need anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes to provide doctors with the images they need, so most patients can expect that their MRI will take at least 30 minutes.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
Preparing for the test
Take the premedication as per instructions from your doctor. General instructions are one dose 13 hours before appointment time, another dose 7 hours prior and another 1 hour prior. Take any other medications as prescribed. Bring a picture ID and insurance information.
Benzodiazepines (also known as tranquilizers) are the most widely prescribed type of medication for anxiety. Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour.
Medications like Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro are commonly used SSRIs and effective for treating symptoms of claustrophobia. Anti-anxiety medications: Anti-anxiety medications reduce the physiological symptoms that come with anxiety.
It is much less confining than an MRI. It is also very quiet and comfortable. Most claustrophobic patients have no difficulty with the procedure. However, if you are severely claustrophobic, you might ask your doctor to consider a mild sedative.
Claustrophobia Option 1: High-Field Open MRI
The first option is a High-Field Open MRI. Instead of a tube-like machine, this MRI has open sides and nothing pushes on your arms or shoulders.