Who should obtain written consent for magnetic resonance imaging under general anesthesia?

Consent for magnetic resonance imaging under anesthesia in children is complex - it does not fit the usual model of consent for invasive procedures and requires the collaboration of multiple specialists from different disciplines. This article discusses the issues surrounding consent for this procedure, sets out four essential elements of the consent process, and proposes that, of the specialists involved, the referring clinician is best placed to discuss the options with parents and obtain written consent.