Clinical implementation of ultra-low-field portable MRI in the neuro-intensive care and stroke unit

PURPOSE: MRI diagnostics for patients with neurological pathologies and advanced monitoring or intensive care therapy are crucial to guide therapy. We aimed to examine the safety of ultra-low-field (ULF; 0.064 T) portable magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) for stroke-unit and neuro-intensive care patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a tertiary hospital with neuro-intensive care and stroke-unit between May and August 2025. 92 patients received 95 scans for different pathologies: ischemic stroke (78%), hemorrhagic stroke (15%), meningoencephalitis/encephalitis (2%) and other conditions (5%). A total of 24 scans (25%) were performed on intubated patients (Study Group 1, n = 24 scans). This group was compared to scans performed on not intubated but surveilled patients (Study Group 2, n = 71 scans) in a univariate analysis assessing the completion of ULF-pMRI scans. Image quality was assessed by two trained neuroradiologists using the five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: ULF-pMRI scans were successfully completed in all intubated patients (100%) and in 87.3% of not intubated patients (p = 0.063), with sufficient image quality in 87.5% and 87.3%, respectively (p = 0.582). No procedure-related complications were observed. CONCLUSION: ULF-pMRI appears to be a safe bedside imaging option that can be integrated into routine clinical care in critically ill patients in neuro-intensive care who require prolonged surveillance.