Radiology
Pediatric MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
What is a pediatric MRI?
MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves and computer to make clear and detailed pictures of the inside of the body. Pediatric MRI is painless, does not use radiation and has few known side effects. The MRI unit is a large cylinder-shaped tube surrounded by a circular magnet. Your child will lie on a moveable examination table that slides into the center of the magnet. MRI provides valuable information that can help doctors determine a diagnosis.
Texas Children’s Hospital customizes each exam based on individualized patient needs by utilizing:
- State-of-the-art equipment for pediatric MRIs
- Wide-bore machine for larger patients
- Specialized board-certified pediatric radiologists
- Functional MRI (fMRI), which measures and maps brain activity
- Specially trained technologists and support staff
- A variety of tools to help your child relax during the procedure, including child life specialists; movies and music; and a soothing, child-friendly environment
Call us to schedule an appointment: 832-824-9729
Note: An order from your doctor is needed to make an appointment.
During an MRI, the child must hold completely still. Patients who are developmentally typical will be scheduled without sedation. If you have a child who is anxious or if you are unsure if they will require sedation to complete their MRI, they may benefit from our MRI mock scanner.
If your child has had an MRI without sedation, or you believe your child can do the procedure without sedation, call Radiology Nursing at 832-826-5371 to discuss scheduling the MRI without sedation.
The MR-I Got This program utilizes MRI mock scanners, which look and sound like a real scanner but on a smaller scale. It has a bed that children can lie on and travel into a tunnel like a real scanner. The MRI scanner makes loud noises while the pictures are being taken. The mock scanner simulates those noises and prepares a child for what to expect. Allowing a child to practice their scan before they enter the real scanner helps them better understand their role (to lie still) and become more comfortable with something that is unfamiliar to them. A generous donation from the Cook Family of Houston has made this exciting new technology possible. The MRI mock scanner is currently available in the Texas Medical Center Campus and coming soon to the West Campus.
To schedule an appointment call:
- West Campus- 832-227-1206
- Texas Medical Center- 832-826-1334
Resources
Due to the strong magnetic field, you must inform our medical team prior to the appointment if you have any metal in your body. Detailed information may be needed, such as implant type and body part location, to determine your eligibility for MRI. If you have metal within your body that was not disclosed prior to your appointment, your study might be delayed, rescheduled or canceled upon your arrival until further information can be obtained. Please bring all information you have about any medically implanted device to the MRI appointment.
CLOTHING:
Before arriving for your appointment please remove the following:
All piercings (including dermal piercings)
Hair accessories (hair pins, barrettes)
Leave all jewelry and valuables at home.
Your MRI exam may be cancelled if you arrive and are unable to remove these items.
Because some clothing may contain metal even when not apparent, the MR technologist will instruct you to remove all clothing and worn/removable items from your body. MR Safe clothing will be provided to you to wear during your MRI scan. This is being done to help ensure your safety during the examination. Your clothing and belongings will need to be securely placed in a locker we provide for you before entering the scan room.
**FEMALE PATIENTS: Please be advised, all female patients who have started their menses will be required to take a urinary pregnancy test**
Contrast
- Your child may need a medication called "contrast," which is used for certain types of MRIs to see the pictures better. There are 2 types of contrast:
- Oral contrast: This contrast is given for MR Enterography exams. Amount is based on age. It taste like a flat sprite. If you are scheduled for this exam, you can not eat or drink anything 4hrs prior to arrival time.
- IV contrast: An IV is a small, flexible tube placed in their hand, arm, or foot depending on exam. If your child needs an IV, a needle will be inserted into your child’s skin to give the medicine. Your child might feel a pinch or a poke when the needle goes into the vein. We have ways to help with the pain if your child needs it.
- A child life specialist can help your child relax and feel more comfortable by providing coaching and distraction tailored to your child’s developmental level. Child life can also explain the MRI procedure while showing images of the machine, as well as play the sounds of the magnet.
- When it is time for your child to start their MRI, you will go to the MRI waiting room where you will wait for your child. A staff person will walk your child to MRI.
- If you feel your child will not be able to complete their MRI without your support, one parent or caregiver may be able to go with your child into MRI. They will need to do a safety screening and change into scrubs/gown. Pregnant caregivers are not able to go into MRI.
- Please leave other siblings at home if there will not be anyone 18 or older to care for them during the MRI. Again only one parent or caregiver is allowed in the MRI suite.
- instructions regarding activity and dietary restrictions
EAT/DRINK:
Non Sedate
You may eat, drink and take medications as usual for most MRI exams. There are some specialty MRI exams that require certain restrictions. You will be provided detailed preparations instructions when you schedule your exam.
Please do not administer non-routine medications such as ativan or valium to calm or relax your child prior to the procedure, for this will result in the procedure needing to be rescheduled.
You will receive a call from our medical team a few days prior to your exam with detailed instructions.
- Before entering the MRI room the MRI technologist will move a special wand over anyone entering. This is to make sure there is no metal present, and to keep everyone safe.
- Your child will be positioned on the moveable MRI table according to the type of scan. Straps or pillows may be used to help your child stay in the correct position. Then the table will move into the scanner’s tunnel. It may feel close, but it will not touch your child.
- The scanner makes loud thumping noises while it is taking pictures. It may sound like a shoe in the dryer or a loud beeping noise. Your child will be given earplugs and headphones. In addition, we offer video goggles designed specifically to help MRI patients with noise, claustrophobia and anxiety. Your child can pick a movie to watch or music to listen to during the MRI procedure.
- Since any movement can make the picture blurry, you child must lie completely still inside the scanner, usually 15–90 minutes. If your child is young or unable to lie still, they may need to be reschedule with sedation or anesthesia via IV to help them relax or sleep. If your child needs sedation, please allow 4 hours for the complete MRI process.
- Please do not administer non-routine medications such as ativan or valium to calm or relax your child prior to the procedure, for this will result in the procedure needing to be rescheduled
Patients scheduled with sedation
One parent or caregiver will be allowed into the MRI induction area. The MRI induction area is where the sedation medication is given. Once the patient is asleep you will be walked out and shown to the waiting area. We will call you back when the MRI is complete. We’ll monitor your child closely until he is fully awake. Follow any instructions regarding activity and dietary restrictions.
The technologist cannot tell you the results of the test. A pediatric radiologist will analyze the images and provide a report of the findings to your child’s doctor. You can call your ordering physician for results 24 to 48 hours after the test; results may also show in your MyChart after your physician releases them.
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