Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant for MRI Sedation in a Neurologically Impaired Child

Abstract

Emergence from anesthesia may be delayed in neurologically impaired children. The higher incidence of respiratory complications in these patients is due to the associated comorbidities such as gastroesophageal reflux and poor function of laryngeal and pharyngeal reflexes. Use of dexmedetomidine (DEX), a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, is becoming popular, as practitioners continue to discover its safety and efficacy as a sedative and anesthetic adjunct. The primary advantage DEX may have over other agents commonly used for pediatric sedation is a lack of significant respiratory events, such as changes in respiratory rate, end-tidal CO2 and oxyhemoglobin saturation. In this case report, DEX was effectively used to provide sedation for MRI in a child with severe neurological impairment.