Bibliometric analysis of ultrasound research trends over the period of 1991 to 2006.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to conduct a bibliometric analysis of all ultrasound-related publications in the Science Citation Index (SCI).


METHODS
A search on the databases of the SCI was performed covering the period of 1991-2006. All selected documents stated "ultrasound" as a part of the title, abstract, or keywords in the two fields of "acoustics" and "radiology, nuclear medicine, and medical imaging." Analyzed parameters included authorship, total number of publications in each year, document type, and the authors' keywords. The data were recorded by publication year except the authors' keywords, which were grouped into four periods: 1991-1994, 1995-1998, 1999-2002, and 2003-2006.


RESULTS
A total of 17,775 documents were found, of which 85% were original articles. The yearly production increased from 740 (1991) to 1,208 (2006). The United States dominated with the most publications. The trend towards prenatal research declined in the last 4 years, while Doppler ultrasound research increased during 1999-2006.


CONCLUSIONS
Periodic performance of bibliometric analysis of the ultrasound journals may reveal research trends. The most represented topics of ultrasound research are Doppler, prenatal diagnosis, MRI, contrast medium, and vascular studies.
Chen
Ran-Chou
RC
Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chu
Dachen
D
Chiang
Chih-Hsin
CH
Chou
Chen-Te
CT
D001319:Authorship; D015706:Bibliometrics; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends*; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D006801:Humans; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D013358:Subject Headings; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000639:trends*