Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is considered one of the most crucial tools for image-guided tumor ablation, and provides a vital alternative approach to tumor treatment. This study used bibliometric methods to characterize the development history of tumor treatment under interventional ultrasound and explore future research hotspots. METHODS: In this study, we retrieved and selected publications on tumor treatment under interventional ultrasound from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database published from 1960 to 2023. In total, 2,588 articles were included in our study. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore various aspects of this field, such as global publication trends, institutional and author collaborations, high-impact journals, highly cited publications, and the evolution of research hotspots. RESULTS: Our results revealed that the global publication output in this field has continuously increased over the past few decades with China and the United States emerging as the most active contributors and maintaining close collaborative relationships. Several institutions and authors, including Chongqing Medical University, had a high publication volume, high citation counts, and a high number of collaborations in this field. Journals like the "Journal of Urology" and "Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology" have enriched the literature resources and fostered developments in this field. In addition, a keyword analysis revealed the main focus areas in this field. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our analysis, we found that the focus of research on tumor treatment under interventional ultrasound has shifted from the exploration of clinical applications to technological advancements and safety. This study also revealed the historical trajectory and identified future trends in this field.