The academic influence of thyroid imaging: a bibliometric perspective in radiology

Aims: Thyroid imaging is an essential component of diagnosing and managing thyroid diseases, including thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Various imaging modalities such as ultrasonography (US), Doppler US, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET/CT) are widely utilized for accurate evaluation and risk stratification. Despite the increasing research activity in thyroid imaging, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis focusing solely on radiology publications has not been conducted. This study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis of thyroid imaging research within the field of radiology, identifying publication trends, highly cited works, leading institutions, collaborative networks, and emerging research areas. Methods: A systematic bibliometric analysis was conducted using data from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection. The search was restricted to radiology-related publications on thyroid imaging between January 2005 and December 2024. VOSviewer (version 1.6.11) was used to map citation networks, keyword co-occurrence, and institutional collaborations. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS to examine publication growth, citation trends, and thematic clusters. Results: A total of 4.007 articles were identified. The number of publications has steadily increased over the years, with the highest number of publications recorded in 2024 (317 articles). US remains the dominant imaging technique in thyroid imaging research, whereas PET/CT and MRI are gaining prominence in specific clinical applications. The European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Clinical Nuclear Medicine, and the Journal of Nuclear Medicine were the most influential journals. Mayo Clinic, Yonsei University, and Duke University emerged as the leading institutions in the field. Keyword analysis revealed major research themes related to thyroid nodules, malignancy risk assessment, ultrasound-guided interventions, and advanced imaging techniques. Conclusion: The field of thyroid imaging has expanded significantly, with a clear dominance of US in research and clinical applications. However, the increasing role of PET/CT, MRI, and AI-driven imaging technologies indicates a shift towards advanced diagnostic methods. Future research should integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and radiomics into thyroid imaging to enhance diagnostic precision and clinical utility. The findings from this bibliometric analysis provide valuable insights into research trends, influential contributors, and future directions in thyroid imaging within radiology.