Evaluating the Impact of Intraoperative MRI in Neuro-Oncology by Scientometric Analysis

Abstract

(1) Objective—Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IOMRI) guided surgery has revolutionized neurosurgery and has especially impacted the field of Neuro-Oncology, with randomized controlled trails demonstrating improved resection, fewer postoperative deficits and enhanced survival rates. Bibliometric analysis allows for analysing chronological trends and measuring the impact and directions of research in a particular field. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first Bibliometric analysis conducted on IOMRI. (2) Methods—a title specific search of the Web of Science database was executed using the keywords ‘intraoperative MRI’, ‘intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging’, and “IOMRI’ on 23rd April 2021. Results—663 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. In addition, the 100 most cited were analysed as well. Among these 100 articles, 76 were original research papers, while 14 others were review articles. Amongst all the authors, Ganslandt contributed the maximum number of articles, with USA being the largest single source of these articles, followed by Germany. Interestingly, a shift of trends from “Image guided surgery’ and ‘accuracy’ in the early 2000s to ‘extent of resection’, ‘impact’, and ‘survival’ in the later years was noted. (3) Conclusions—IOMRI has now become an integral part of neurosurgery, especially in neuro-oncology. Focus has now shifted from implementation to refinement of technique in the form of functional and oncological outcomes. Therefore, future research in this direction is imperative and will be of more impact that in any other sub-field related to IOMRI.