What is the risk of performing an MRI on a patient with known claustrophobia?

The risk of performing an MRI on a patient with known claustrophobia lies in the potential for increased likelihood of motion artifacts and patient distress. Patients who experience claustrophobia may feel anxious or panicked when placed inside the MRI scanner, which is a confined space. This anxiety can lead to involuntary movements as the patient struggles to cope with the sensation of being enclosed. Such movements can result in motion artifacts, which degrade the quality of the images obtained during the MRI scan. Moreover, the distress caused by the confined environment may necessitate interruption of the scan, further complicating the imaging process and potentially requiring repeated scans.

The other options do not accurately reflect the situation. While clearer images would be ideal, they are not a guaranteed outcome with a claustrophobic patient, as the quality of the images can be compromised by motion caused by anxiety. Stating that there is no risk for any patient does not acknowledge the unique challenges faced by those with claustrophobia. Additionally, while decreasing scanning time might be desirable, the reality is that a patient experiencing anxiety may take longer to scan due to the need for reassurance or the necessity to stop and resume the procedure. Thus, the risks associated with MRI in claustrophobic patients should always be