[A scientometric analysis of leukoplakia and erythroplakia]

The oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia is one of the most common epithelial precursor lesions of the oral squamous cell carcinoma. Transformation rates are approximately 0.9-17% in 10 years for leukoplakia and in 14-50% for the erythroplakia. Despite the clinical relevance of these lesions, currently exists no detailed bibliometric analysis.

The present study combines classical bibliometric tools with novel scientometric and visualizing techniques in order to analyse and categorize research in the field of leukoplakia and erythroplakia.

All studies related to leukoplakia and erythroplakia and listed in the ISI database since 1900 were identified by the use of defined search terms. The bibliometric analysis of the collected data shows a continuous increase in quantitative marker such as the number of publications and cooperation and qualitative markers, such as citations and H-index. The combination with density equalizing mapping revealed a distinct global structure of research and citing activity. Radar chart techniques were used to illustrate bi- and multilateral cooperations and institution research collaborations.

The present study demonstrates the first scientometric approach that visualizes research activities in the area of leukoplakia and erythroplakia. It provides data that can be used for geografical context and research networks.