Remote-location anaesthesia for MRI scanning in a paediatric patient aged 4 years carries unique challenges. Which of the following is the PRIMARY safety concern specific to the MRI environment?

• A Delayed emergence due to high inspired concentration of volatile agents in closed spaces
• B Hypothermia from prolonged immobility in air-conditioned MRI suite
• C Noise-induced hearing loss during scanning sequences
• D Hazard from ferromagnetic equipment and monitoring devices in the high-field magnet ✓

Explanation

The fundamental safety concern in MRI anaesthesia is the presence of a powerful static magnetic field (typically 1.5–3 Tesla) that can attract and projectile-launch ferromagnetic objects (the 'missile effect'), cause torque on implanted devices (pacemakers, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips), and induce currents in monitoring leads causing burns. All equipment brought into the MRI scanner room must be MRI-compatible (conditional or safe), including anaesthetic machines, laryngoscopes, cylinders, and monitoring devices. Hypothermia is a concern but not the PRIMARY MRI-specific risk.

Reference: Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.