A Global Bibliometric Study of Spinal Arachnoiditis: Research Trends and Future Directions

Spinal arachnoiditis (SA) involves chronic inflammation of the spinal arachnoid membrane, often due to surgery, trauma, infections, or autoimmune issues. It leads to ongoing pain and sensory disturbances in the back and lower limbs, along with possible bladder and bowel issues. Treatments focus on symptom relief and improving life quality. Despite growing research interest, a comprehensive analysis of SA's research trends is missing. This study uses bibliometric analysis to explore SA research trends, offering guidance for future research directions.

The study analyzed SA-related literature from the Web of Science Core Collection database between 2011 and 2024. It used bibliometric tools like VOSviewer and CiteSpace to assess publication trends, key contributors, influential journals, and keyword relationships, as well as citation patterns.

The study found an increasing trend in SA-related publications. The United States leads in contributions, and the University of Toronto in Canada and King George's Medical University in India are among the top contributing institutions. The research involves 1152 authors, notably Marcus A. Stoodley. It covers fields like neurosurgery, neurology, psychiatry, and anesthesiology. Keywords highlight focal points in SA's etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Citations identify influential papers and cutting-edge research.

This study provides the first extensive bibliometric overview of SA research, examining trends, hotspots, and future paths. It covers 7 key areas: from fundamental and pathogenesis research to personalized medicine and public education, reflecting a shift toward clinical applications and social strategies. The goal is to enhance understanding and treatment of SA.