|
Avoiding Sedation for Children
A report from the American Roentgen Society shows that
the use of a medical test called ultrafast CT (electron beam computed tomography)
eliminates risks that children can experience from sedation related to imaging procedures.
Sedation is given to children prior to scanning in order to relax them. This avoids
movement and the need to repeat the imaging. Although generally safe, up to five per cent
of pediatric patients experience problems with sedation ranging from mild respiratory
depression to cardiopulmonary collapse.
Dr. John Statler, who conducted the study at the Walter
Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., says, "A scan using the ultrafast takes
seconds, and all that is needed for the children is a restraining device called a papoose
to keep them aligned while in the scanner." No sedation was needed on the 20 patients
they examined in their study. With essentially no moving parts, the ultrafast scanner can
perform an entire chest scan in 400 milliseconds. The 20 patients ranged in age from 3
weeks to 6 years, and no ill effects were seen such as physical injury, reaction to
contrast agents or cardiorespiratory collapse.
Dr. Statler also mentions that, "The quality of the
ultrafast electron beam scans is of adequate diagnostic quality compared to regular CT
scans." The high-speed imaging also proved adequate on the first round, eliminating
the need for repeat scans. The speed of the scans also eliminated the need for sedation in
children, especially in the age group from 2 to 6 years, when they tend to be most
fidgety. |
