Purpose or Case Report: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the essential diagnostic tools in pediatric radiology, however, obtaining high-quality, motion-free images in infants remains a challenge. Sedation or general anesthesia is often required to minimize motion artifacts, but these carry potential risks, including respiratory depression, prolonged recovery, and potential neurodevelopmental effects with repeated exposure. In addition, access to general anesthesia for MRI examinations is often limited, particularly in underdeveloped countries. The feed and wrap technique offers a safe, effective, and non-pharmacologic alternative to sedation for imaging infants, particularly those under 3 months of age.
This educational poster will review the principles and practical steps of the feed and wrap technique, including patient selection, preparation, feeding strategies, swaddling methods, and optimization of MRI protocols. We will discuss environmental adjustments, such as room temperature control, noise reduction, and use of immobilization aids, to maximize success rates. In addition, we will present case examples demonstrating typical applications across brain, spine, and abdominal MRI studies, highlighting common pitfalls and troubleshooting strategies when motion or incomplete sequences occur.
We will also compare diagnostic image quality between feed and wrap studies and sedated studies, review success rates reported in the literature, and provide practical guidance for implementing this technique in both community and tertiary care settings.
Radiologists, technologists, and pediatricians play a key role in promoting safe, patient-centered imaging practices. Familiarity with the feed and wrap technique empowers pediatric imaging teams to reduce sedation rates, improve workflow efficiency and safety, while maintaining diagnostic quality in MRI examinations for the young patients.
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