Commentary: The emerging role of rapid MR spine imaging in pediatrics

Excerpt

Rapid MR imaging can be an alternative to standard MR techniques in children to avoid the sedation necessary for younger patients to complete longer traditional exams. MRI remains the primary imaging modality for neurologic evaluation in many instances and decreasing imaging times, as well as the need for sedation; aids in timely imaging, throughput, resource utilization; and eliminates any safety concerns associated with anesthesia. Rapid imaging initially gained widespread use with fast T2 sequences employed to image children with hydrocephalus in lieu of CT or traditional brain MR [ 1, 2]. Over the past decade, rapid imaging of the brain has expanded to include several variations of the technique and adoption for a variety of other neurologic conditions. Rapid non-sedated imaging is also becoming increasingly used for non-neurologic indications, such as rapid evaluation for osteomyelitis or appendicitis imaging as well [ 3, 4]. …