Factors Associated with Occurrence of Atelectasis during Sedation for Imaging in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Single Center Cohort Study

Sedation can induce atelectasis which may cause suboptimal image quality. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the occurrence of atelectasis during sedation for imaging in pediatric patients. Patients < 18 years who had undergone whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under sedation with propofol or dexmedetomidine were included in this study. The development of atelectasis was visually and quantitatively assessed by coronal short tau inversion recovery images of the thoracic level. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the independent factors associated with the development of atelectasis. Ninety-one patients were included in the analysis. In the multivariable analysis, administration of supplemental oxygen was the only factor significantly associated with the occurrence of atelectasis (adjusted odds ratio, 4.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.48–15.83; p = 0.009). Univariable analysis showed that the use of dexmedetomidine was associated with a lower incidence of atelectasis; however, this could not be verified in the multivariable analysis. Among the pediatric patients who had undergone imaging under sedation, additional oxygen supplementation was the only independent factor associated with atelectasis occurrence. A prospective clinical trial is required to identify the cause-effect relationship between oxygen administration and occurrence of atelectasis during sedation.