Bibliometric Analysis of Neurointerventional Surgery: The Scientific Production of the Specialty

Introduction: Neurointervention has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and spinal disorders. Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery (JNIS) and Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) are the leading journals. This bibliometric analysis focuses on the most-cited articles from these journals, aiming to identify key research areas, contributions, and trends. We also examine critical developments in neurointerventional practice.

Methods: We searched Scopus for the 500 most-cited articles from JNIS and INR. Articles were categorized by citation count, study design, disease focus, intervention, authorship, and institutions. Data were analyzed using the bibliometrix package in RStudio (version 4.4.3). Citation networks were visualized with VOSviewer.

Results: We included 439 articles from JNIS (30,899 citations) and 61 from INR (4,455 citations), averaging 70.71 citations per article. Publications from 2020 to 2024 were the most numerous (n = 441), while articles until 1999 showed the highest citation averages (105.72). The top contributing countries were the USA (n = 272), France (n = 72), and China (n = 65), with the most productive institutions including Mayo Clinic and Bordeaux University Hospital. Retrospective cohorts predominated (26.8%), followed by prospective cohorts (10.4%). The most frequently addressed conditions were ischemic stroke (n = 141) and intracranial aneurysms (n = 98), while thrombectomy (n = 108) and endovascular treatment (n = 69) were the most commonly addressed interventions. Kan P. and Kallmes D. F. were the most productive authors (over 20 articles each). Thirty-five studies from the last four years show an increase in systematic reviews and technology-focused articles, reflecting a shift toward advanced techniques in neurointervention.

Conclusion : This study provides comprehensive insights into key trends and advancements in neurointerventional research through quantitative and visual analysis of highly cited literature. It serves as a reference for the evolution of minimally invasive and endovascular techniques, guiding future research and fostering potential collaborations in the field.