Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspective

AimMalignant cerebral edema (MCE) is a life-threatening complication of acute brain injuries, with mortality rates exceeding 80% in the absence of treatment. Despite advancements in osmotic therapies and decompressive craniectomy (DC), MCE continues to pose substantial clinical challenges. This stud...

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Main Authors: Xinhua Peng, Rongrong Zhu, Ke Zhang, Jianghong Ji, Chuanguo Lv, Feng Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1624101/full
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author Xinhua Peng
Xinhua Peng
Rongrong Zhu
Ke Zhang
Jianghong Ji
Chuanguo Lv
Feng Feng
Feng Feng
author_facet Xinhua Peng
Xinhua Peng
Rongrong Zhu
Ke Zhang
Jianghong Ji
Chuanguo Lv
Feng Feng
Feng Feng
author_sort Xinhua Peng
collection DOAJ
description AimMalignant cerebral edema (MCE) is a life-threatening complication of acute brain injuries, with mortality rates exceeding 80% in the absence of treatment. Despite advancements in osmotic therapies and decompressive craniectomy (DC), MCE continues to pose substantial clinical challenges. This study systematically maps the evolution of MCE research (2005–2024) to identify key trends, research gaps, and future priorities.MethodsA bibliometric analysis of 1,460 peer-reviewed articles from the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix. Key metrics included publication trends, geographic and institutional contributions, keyword co-occurrence, citation networks, and co-authorship patterns.ResultsAnnual publications increased from 55 in 2005 to 128 in 2024, progressing through three distinct phases: Foundational growth (2005–2009), consolidation (2010–2014), and rapid expansion (2015–2024). The United States (28.9%) and China (18.7%) dominated research output, with Harvard University and the University of California System leading institutional collaboration clusters. High-impact journals highlighted clinical advancements, including Stroke (h-index = 27). Keyword analysis demonstrated a thematic progression from blood–brain barrier pathophysiology to clinical innovations, including DC and emerging predictive modeling techniques incorporating machine learning. Landmark trials, including DECIMAL and HAMLET, validated early surgical intervention, while emerging trends have emphasized precision medicine and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven risk stratification.ConclusionThe MCE research has transitioned from foundational pathophysiology to interdisciplinary clinical practice and data integration. However, critical gaps remain, including underrepresentation in pediatric research, disparities in global neurocritical care, and challenges in translational application. Future priorities should focus on biomarker discovery, equitable global collaborations, and AI-enhanced frameworks to transform survival into functional recovery worldwide.
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spelling doaj-art-e8f3058ecda9469ca9f24d9d07efc7612025-08-20T03:31:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-07-011610.3389/fneur.2025.16241011624101Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspectiveXinhua Peng0Xinhua Peng1Rongrong Zhu2Ke Zhang3Jianghong Ji4Chuanguo Lv5Feng Feng6Feng Feng7Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaImaging Department, Qidong People’s Hospital, Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Qidong, ChinaImaging Department, Qidong People’s Hospital, Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Qidong, ChinaImaging Department, Qidong People’s Hospital, Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Qidong, ChinaImaging Department, Qidong People’s Hospital, Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Qidong, ChinaImaging Department, Qidong People’s Hospital, Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Qidong, ChinaMedical School of Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaDepartment of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, ChinaAimMalignant cerebral edema (MCE) is a life-threatening complication of acute brain injuries, with mortality rates exceeding 80% in the absence of treatment. Despite advancements in osmotic therapies and decompressive craniectomy (DC), MCE continues to pose substantial clinical challenges. This study systematically maps the evolution of MCE research (2005–2024) to identify key trends, research gaps, and future priorities.MethodsA bibliometric analysis of 1,460 peer-reviewed articles from the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix. Key metrics included publication trends, geographic and institutional contributions, keyword co-occurrence, citation networks, and co-authorship patterns.ResultsAnnual publications increased from 55 in 2005 to 128 in 2024, progressing through three distinct phases: Foundational growth (2005–2009), consolidation (2010–2014), and rapid expansion (2015–2024). The United States (28.9%) and China (18.7%) dominated research output, with Harvard University and the University of California System leading institutional collaboration clusters. High-impact journals highlighted clinical advancements, including Stroke (h-index = 27). Keyword analysis demonstrated a thematic progression from blood–brain barrier pathophysiology to clinical innovations, including DC and emerging predictive modeling techniques incorporating machine learning. Landmark trials, including DECIMAL and HAMLET, validated early surgical intervention, while emerging trends have emphasized precision medicine and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven risk stratification.ConclusionThe MCE research has transitioned from foundational pathophysiology to interdisciplinary clinical practice and data integration. However, critical gaps remain, including underrepresentation in pediatric research, disparities in global neurocritical care, and challenges in translational application. Future priorities should focus on biomarker discovery, equitable global collaborations, and AI-enhanced frameworks to transform survival into functional recovery worldwide.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1624101/fullmalignant cerebral edemadecompressive craniectomycytotoxic edemablood–brain barrierneurocritical carebibliometric analysis
spellingShingle Xinhua Peng
Xinhua Peng
Rongrong Zhu
Ke Zhang
Jianghong Ji
Chuanguo Lv
Feng Feng
Feng Feng
Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspective
Frontiers in Neurology
malignant cerebral edema
decompressive craniectomy
cytotoxic edema
blood–brain barrier
neurocritical care
bibliometric analysis
title Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspective
title_full Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspective
title_fullStr Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspective
title_full_unstemmed Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspective
title_short Global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research: a bibliometric perspective
title_sort global collaboration and innovation in malignant cerebral edema research a bibliometric perspective
topic malignant cerebral edema
decompressive craniectomy
cytotoxic edema
blood–brain barrier
neurocritical care
bibliometric analysis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1624101/full
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