A Decade of Photon-Counting CT Research: Bibliometric Trends and Emerging Themes

Giovanni Lorusso; Chiara Morelli; Eva Colucci; Ilaria Villanova; Sara Greco; Nicola Maria Lucarelli; Nicola Maggialetti

doi:10.23750/abm.2026.18597

Authors

Dr. Giovanni Lorusso Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
Dr. Chiara Morelli Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
Dr. Eva Colucci Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
Dr. Ilaria Villanova Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
Dr. Sara Greco Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
prof. Nicola M. Lucarelli Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy
prof. Nicola Maggialetti Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy

Keywords:

Photon-counting CT; Bibliometric analysis; Spectral imaging; Citation analysis; Medical imaging trends

Abstract

Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) represents a significant advancement in medical imaging, offering improved spatial resolution, spectral imaging capabilities, and enhanced tissue characterization. This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of PCCT research trends. A total of 1,390 articles were retrieved from the Scopus database without time restrictions. Articles were ranked based on citation count, and data extraction included title, authorship, publication year, journal impact, citation metrics, study design, funding sources, and subject classification.
Results indicate a rapid growth in PCCT-related publications, with the highest output recorded in 2024. The United States, Germany, and Switzerland emerged as leading contributors. Original research articles dominated (62.37%), followed by conference papers (14.68%) and review articles (12.23%). Keyword co-occurrence analysis highlighted major research themes, including spectral imaging, material decomposition, image quality, and artificial intelligence applications. The citation analysis revealed that foundational research on PCCT technology, image reconstruction, and artifact reduction has shaped the field.
The study underscores the growing clinical relevance of PCCT, particularly in cardiovascular imaging, oncology, and musculoskeletal applications.

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