Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (23): 6021-6029.doi: 10.12307/2026.364

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Visual analysis of shear wave elastography in skeletal muscle research

Li Qian1, Li Zhenxing2, Qiao Pengyan3, Wang Pingzhi3   

  1. 1Shanxi Bethune Hospital (Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences/Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University/Tongji Shanxi Hospital), Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, Shanxi Province, China; 2First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China; 3Shanxi Bethune Hospital (Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences/Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University/Tongji Shanxi Hospital), Taiyuan 030032, Shanxi Province, China 
  • Received:2025-05-24 Accepted:2025-09-11 Online:2026-08-18 Published:2025-12-31
  • Contact: Wang Pingzhi, PhD, Chief physician, Master’s supervisor, Shanxi Bethune Hospital (Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences/Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University/Tongji Shanxi Hospital), Taiyuan 030032, Shanxi Province, China
  • About author:Li Qian, MS, Shanxi Bethune Hospital (Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences/Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University/Tongji Shanxi Hospital), Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences , Taiyuan 030032, Shanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Shanxi Provincial Key Research and Development Program Project, No. 2023021305010142024 (to WPZ); Shanxi Provincial Medical Key Discipline in 2024; Shanxi Provincial Key Clinical Specialty in 2024

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Shear-wave elastography is valuable for rehabilitation diagnosis and treatment, but it has not been sufficiently promoted in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the trends and hotspots of ultrasound shear wave elastography in skeletal muscle research by visualizing and analyzing the international literature from the past 10 years, thereby providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and follow-up research.
METHODS: Based on the Web of Science Core Collection database (2015-2024), the number of publications, countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, cited literature, and key words from the 978 included articles were visualized and analyzed using CiteSpace software.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) With a 16.2% average annual growth in global publications, China has the highest number of publications worldwide (197), but its international collaborative network is relatively weak. The University of Nantes in France has the highest number of publications (50), and the University of Queensland has the most influential collaborative network. (2) Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology is the journal with the most publications (33). Noriaki Ichihashi is the most productive author. (3) The gastrocnemius muscle is one of the most frequently studied objects for shear wave elastography. Shear wave elastography shows significant clinical potential for central nervous system diseases and sports injuries. (4) The focus of shear wave elastography research has gradually shifted from basic biomechanical studies to dynamic assessment of clinical efficacy and therapeutic interventions. (5) In the future, diagnostic techniques should be more standardized and refined. Standardized data ranges can be established for muscle tissue; however, individual biological differences in elasticity values need to be considered.


Key words: shear wave elastography, skeletal muscle, muscle tissue, skeletal muscle mechanics, CiteSpace, ultrasound

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