Diagnostic performance of ultra-low field neurological magnetic resonance imaging: a systematic review protocol

The aim of this systematic review protocol is to provide the current reported level of diagnostic performance of ultra-low field MRI (ULF-MRI) in brain imaging of both paediatrics (including neonates and infants) and adults from a range of neurological conditions.

We will use the population/problem, intervention, comparison and outcome framework to break down the keywords to search PubMed, Medline, CINHAL, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Google Scholar without restriction of geographical location, study design and publication status. Other sources such as the reference list of selected studies will also be searched, and the search will be documented with a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow chart. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 3 tool will be used to assess the quality of the retrieved studies. After screening the studies, a meta-analysis for the primary outcome of individual and pooled diagnostic accuracy will be conducted using Meta-DiSc V1.4. Results expressed as forest plots, pooled heterogeneity values, 95% CIs, probability values and summary receiver operating characteristic curve plots will be used for data synthesis. The review commenced in January 2026 and is anticipated to conclude in June 2026. At the time of protocol submission, study identification, screening, data extraction, quality assessment and evidence synthesis have not yet commenced.

The results of this systematic review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at a relevant conference. Data do not include animal or human participant recruitment or personal individual data. All data are already published in the public domain; therefore, ethical approval is not required.

PROSPERO 1308164.