The Pediatric Radiology Program offers anesthesia-assisted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) exams to infants and children.

• Board-certified Neuroradiologists and CT Body Imaging Radiologists
• Board-certified Anesthesiologists and Nurse Anesthetists
• All Children’s pediatricians @ SMH
• Specially trained Radiological Technologists
• Pediatric Nurses

This collaborative MRI and CT Program won the 2004 SMH Quality Improvement Award of Excellence.

• Procedures are lengthy (20 –60 minutes)
• Radiology equipment may seem scary
• MRI equipment makes loud noises as magnets move
• It is not easy for infants and young children to stay still for imaging studies
• Many children are claustrophobic
• Intravenous contrast is often needed for these scans

How the Program Works:

• All examinations are scheduled through the SMH scheduling department at (941) 917-7322. Cases are scheduled on Thursday mornings from 8 am to noon.
• Once you have scheduled an appointment, a pediatric nurse will contact you by phone to obtain a pertinent history, and verify registration data and insurance authorization.
• You will need to register your child at the front desk.
• On the day of the study, you should bring the following:
  • Prescription from your physician for the radiology study
  • Copy of your child’s insurance
  • Copy of your insurance authorization
  • A few small toys, books or other play activities that your child enjoys
• After registration, you and your child will be brought back to our very own Radiology pre and post area. This is a comfortable setting where you will begin and end the procedure. This is also where you will meet your child’s sedation team. The team consists of: a highly skilled pediatric nurse who will be with your child throughout the entire procedure; an All Children’s hospital pediatrician who will perform a brief history and physical, which will include questions, heart rate, pulse, and temperature to ensure your child is ready for the procedure; and a member of the Anesthesiology Department who will answer any questions and concerns that you may have.
• One parent and a pediatric nurse will then accompany your child to the MRI/CT procedure room where you will meet the radiological technologist.
• Your child will be asked to lie down on a special examination table and breathe through a mask. He/she will be given a small amount of flavored “gas” by the anesthesiologist to make him/her feel sleepy.
• Once asleep, the examination table will be moved into the MRI/CT scanner. The anesthesiologist and nurse will remain with your child the entire time.
• After the study is complete, your child will be taken back to the recovery area. The recovery time is approximately one hour.
• After that, you and your child can return home and resume your daily activities.
• Our select group of committed and highly specialized Neuroradiologists and Body CT Radiologists will read your child’s MRI/CT. The final interpretation of your child’s scan will be sent to your child’s physician within three business days.

Exam Preparation:

• Children less than 6 months of age may be given formula or food up until four hours before the appointment. After that, they may have water, Pedialyte, or other clear liquid up to two hours before the appointment. NO FLUIDS OR FOOD OF ANY SORT FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT.
• Children 6 – 36 months of age may be given formula, milk, or food up until six hours before the appointment. After that, they may have water, Pedialyte, or other clear liquid up until 3 hours prior to the appointment. NO FLUIDS OR FOOD OF ANY SORT FOR AT LEAST THREE HOURS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT.
• Children greater than 36 months of age may eat and drink regularly up until midnight on the evening before the examination. NO FOOD OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT.

We guarantee that you will be satisfied with the ease of scheduling, clinical expertise, compassionate care and the genuine concern for your child’s comfort. There is no sedation required for regular x-rays and ultrasounds.

For more information call our Radiology nursing department at (941) 917-1316.

To schedule an examination call (941) 917-7322.