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.
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.
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.
Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is associated with high levels of anxiety in many patients which may interfere with image quality and increase examination time.
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.
A single scan may take a few seconds or 3 to 8 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans. The total scan lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are needed. You'll be moved out of the scanner when your scan is over.
Diazepam 5 mg po, once for MRI study or Lorazepam 1mg po, once for MRI study. B. For use with adult patients who have a need for an oral sedative for a successful MRI.
To avoid the images being blurred, it's very important to keep your whole body still throughout the scan until the radiographer tells you to relax. A single scan may take from a few seconds to 3 or 4 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans.
The two main medication classes most often prescribed are: Benzodiazepines, such as the antianxiety drugs alprazolam (Xanax®), clonazepam (Klonopin®) and diazepam (Valium®). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil®) or escitalopram (Lexapro®).
The open upright MRI scanner made by Fonar minimizes the feeling of claustrophobia because it is open in the front, back and top. People can sit and watch TV during many of the MRI examinations. The upright MRI also has the capability of imaging people in more than one position.
Today, when it comes to getting an MRI, that innate reaction is considerably less helpful if your doctor says you need a scan to guide your treatment. The escape reaction leads some people to crawl right out the end of an MRI machine during the middle of an exam. Linda Raimondi knows firsthand.
9 Diazepam is often given to a patient for premedication in MRI.
Background: Propofol and pentobarbital are commonly used to sedate children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
It's important that patients remove all clothing prior to their MRI exam. We ask patients to remove: All outer clothing, including shoes. Bras or any undergarment that could have metal in it.
Keep your eyes closed or even wear a blindfold.
It's much easier in an open MRI it's wider than a standard scanner, so patients shouldn't feel any walls touching them.
Many people are fearful of MRIs because they have seen the machines before and worry about feeling trapped, especially if they suffer from claustrophobia. The traditional MRI machine is a closed machine, but open machines are becoming increasingly available.
For most procedures, the patient goes into the MRI machine head-first, and the lower part of the body remains completely outside the machine. If you are having an MRI of your foot, knee or leg, you will go into the machine feet first, and your head and upper body will remain outside the machine.
Typical wide bore MRI scanners have a 70 centimeter bore opening and that extra 10 centimeters can make all the difference for many patients. Those who are claustrophobic often find that the wider bore is less stressful than the traditional, narrow bore.
Oral Benzodiazepines
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.
Reactions can include anything from mild anxiety to all out panic attacks and hyperventilating. More to the point, researchers in one study found that as many as 13% of all patients who received an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), reported feelings of panic and or anxiety during their MRI.
An open-bore MRI machine is open on both ends and enclosed by a tube-like bore; it offers a wide opening of approximately two feet. A conventional MRI is also open on both ends but has a smaller opening.
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.
Claustrophobia can be successfully treated and cured by gradually being exposed to the situation that causes your fear. This is known as desensitisation or self-exposure therapy. You could try this yourself using self-help techniques, or you could do it with the help of a professional.