Neuroradiology Publication Metrics by Rank: Current Status

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Academic promotion criteria across U.S. medical schools vary substantially, however manuscript production, citations and h-index remain some of the most widely accepted, quantifiable yardsticks of scholarly productivity. Neuroradiology lacks published national scholarship benchmarks, which would permit faculty self-assessment and appraisal of promotion eligibility within and across academic institutions. We sought to provide such metrics for academic neuroradiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional bibliometric analysis of academic neuroradiology faculty in the U.S. using Scopus data between July and August 2025. Faculty rosters were identified via ACGME-listed fellowship programs and departmental websites and confirmed with program directors. Academic rank, sex, publications, citations, and h-index were collected. Individuals without Scopus records were excluded. Descriptive statistics, percentile distributions, and comparisons across academic ranks were calculated, providing standardized measures of productivity for assistant, associate, and full professor neuroradiology cohorts nationally. RESULTS: Of 1,200 neuroradiologists identified, 1190 with complete rank data were analyzed across 94 academic institutions. Scholarly output rose significantly with rank. Median citations increased from 105 (assistant) to 555.5 (associate) and 2702 (full professor). Median publications rose from 8 to 30 to 89, while h-index values increased from 4 to 11 to 27. Sex differences were minimal at junior ranks but emerged at the full professor level for papers only (median 92 in males and 75.5 in females, p = 0.04). Percentile values were provided at each academic rank. CONCLUSIONS: This national analysis provides bibliometrics for academic productivity in neuroradiology, demonstrating progressive increases in publications, citations, and h-index across faculty ranks. While substantial variability exists, these percentile-based metrics provide neuroradiologists a reference for self-assessment, departmental evaluation, and promotion justification. ABBREVIATIONS: SD = standard deviation; h-index = Hirsch index; n = number of individuals; p = probability value.