Intravenous Drug Sedation for MRI in Children; a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children is a matter of concern and needs adequate sedation because patients should be completely motionless to provide a good quality of imaging. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Sodium thiopental and Propofol + Lidocaine to provide sedation in children undergoing brain MRI.Methods and materials: This was a randomized, blinded trial including ۲۵۰ patients aged ۳ months to ۱۳ years who were candidate for elective brain MRI. Participants were divided into two groups. Group ۱ received Sodium thiopental and group ۲ received Propofol + Lidocaine. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Unconsciousness time, scan time and discharge time were compared between the two groups. Data was analyzed using SPSS version ۱۶ by Chi-square, ANOVA, Man-Whitney and T-test (p<۰.۰۵).Results: Totally ۲۵۰ patients were assigned randomly to two groups of Propofol + Lidocaine and Sodium thiopental, each including ۱۲۵ patients. There was no meaningful difference regarding demographic factors of age, gender or ASA class between the two groups. There was no meaningful statistically difference regarding unconsciousness time (P value=۰.۶۵۵), scan time (P value=۰.۳۲۴) and discharge time (P value=۰.۴۳۶) between the Propofol + Lidocaine and Sodium thiopental group. Some minor adverse effects occurred in the Propofol + Lidocaine group. No major complication occurred.Conclusion: Sodium thiopental was superior to Propofol + Lidocaine regarding lower adverse effects, lower costs, no need for an infusion pump and not lowering seizure threshold.it can be considered safe for sedation in children undergoing brain MRI, especially those with a history of seizure.