LAUSR

Key Points Question What are the prevalence and extent of small study effects in the diagnostic imaging literature? Findings This meta-analysis of diagnostic performance data pooled from 31 diagnostic imaging accuracy meta-analyses including 668 primary studies found significant evidence for small study effects. Subgroup analysis by imaging modality revealed similar trends throughout all examined modalities (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, ultrasonography). Meaning These findings suggest small study effects are widely underestimated at the level of individual meta-analyses when using conventional methods, including visual assessment of funnel plots and Egger test.