AUTHOR=Zhang Yu , Li An-An , Xiao Shi-Ning , Zhong Nan-Shan , Tong Wei-Lai , Wang Shi-Jiang , Liu Jia-Ming , Liu Zhi-Li 

TITLE=A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications on Spinal Cord Injury Treatment With Glucocorticoids Using VOSviewer

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.907372

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.907372

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Abstract
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leaves devastating consequences upon the physical, social, and vocational well-being of patients. Systemic administration of methylprednisolone (MP) at a higher dosage though can reduce neurological deficits following acute SCI. Still, this treatment regimen is controversial owing to significant dose-related side effects and relatively modest improvements in neurological function. Therefore, this study aimed at the bibliometric analysis of the published literature related to the treatment of SCI, which may pave the path for future research trends. 
Methods: The literature published relating to SCI and the use of glucocorticoids for its treatment between 1982 and 2022 was collected and scanned in the Web of Science collection database using the keywords glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, MP, corticosteroids, and SCI, followed by the use of VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis of these articles. 
Results: A total of 1,848 published articles and 7,448 authors on SCI and glucocorticoid usage were identified. The SCI total link strength accounts for 1,341, and MP for 762 has strong link neuroprotection and inflammation. The mean citation count for the top 50 most cited articles was 429 (ranging from 208 to 1824), where most of these were descriptive studies having focused on clinical features. The Journal of Neurotrauma was the highest-ranked journal that had received 5,975 citations. A total of 63 articles were published by Michael G Fehlings from the University of Toronto, who has been cited 5377 times. The University of Toronto has published 81 related manuscripts with 6708 received citations. In contrast, 720 articles were published from the United States, with 35,389 received citations and a total link strength of 5,714. The second-ranked country was China, with 236 published articles and 2839 received citations. 
Conclusions: The research published on the application of MP in treating SCI has commensurately increased with time. Though globally, the United States has made a significant contribution in this important field of research, it needs rigorous clinical trials designed to verify the therapeutic role of MP in SCI and its appropriate dosage, with a purpose to find solutions for neurological recovery.