Review of pediatric sedation and anesthesia for radiological diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

Abstract

This review aims to synthesize the current body of knowledge surrounding the complexities, advancements, and best practices in sedation and anesthesia for pediatric patients undergoing radiological diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The article examines several types of procedures that necessitate sedation, pre-sedation assessment protocols, and pharmacological considerations. It explores into the intricacies of patient monitoring, potential benefits and risks, and special considerations that healthcare providers must account for. Emphasis is placed on the qualifications required for non-anesthesiologists involved in administering anesthesia or sedation, along with the essential equipment and safety protocols. The review also addresses the ethical, legal, and psychosocial facets of this multifaceted clinical issue, culminating in an overview of future research directions and concluding remarks on quality improvement measures. The review found that pediatric sedation and anesthesia for radiological procedures have improved significantly in terms of safety, administration, and monitoring; however, several research gaps and opportunities remain, such as: quantifying the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions; exploring individualized sedation protocols; investigating the impact of cultural and psychosocial factors; assessing the long-term neurodevelopmental effects; developing machine learning algorithms; and evaluating the post-procedural quality of life in pediatric patients.