Magnetic resonance imaging has become a standard diagnostic procedure established as method of first choice for certain indications, especially for imaging of the central nervous system and soft tissues, with special preference in paediatric patients. Though not invasive in itself, magnetic resonance imaging requires general anaesthesia or deep sedation in uncooperative patients such as children. Care of these patients and of patients requiring intensive care should be performed by anaesthesiologists. Prospective studies in large patient populations are required to clearly establish the impact of airway control by means of intubation or laryngeal mask on safety of patients requiring deep sedation for magnetic resonance imaging. The limited access to the patient restricts clinical observation during the imaging process. Technical monitoring according to American Society of Anesthesiologists standards is therefore mandatory, irrespective of the anaesthetic or sedative procedure used in the individual case. Specific requirements for monitoring systems and respirators used during magnetic resonance imaging are met by commercial systems currently available. Certain exclusion criteria and security measures appropriate to the application of a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency sequences must be respected during magnetic resonance imaging and should be known by anaesthesiologists.
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