Global research trends on hemifacial spasm:a bibliometric and visualized study from 1999 to 2024OA

Background:Hemifacial spasm(HFS)is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary facial muscle contractions,significantly impacting quality of life.This study aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends,collaborations,and scientific contributions in the field of HFS,addressing publication patterns,influential authors and institutions,and prominent research topics from 1999 to 2024.Methods:We conducted a bibliometric analysis based on 1,884 publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using the keyword"Hemifacial Spasm."Data analysis and visualization were performed using Microsoft Excel,R/Bibliometrix,Scimago Graphica,VOSviewer,Pajek,and CiteSpace.Parameters assessed included publication trends,author collaborations,institutional contributions,core journals,citation metrics,and keyword clusters.Results:Among the analyzed publications,1,646 were original research articles,and 238 were reviews,involving 6,063 researchers and citing 25,252 references.The United States,China,and Japan were identified as leading contributing countries,with prominent institutions including Shanghai Jiao Tong University,Sungkyunkwan University,and the University of Pittsburgh.Top authors by publication count were Li Shiting,Park Kwan,and Zhong Jun,whereas Peter J.Jannetta,Albert R.Møller,and Janko Jankovic were most frequently cited.Core journals,identified via Bradford’s Law,included Acta Neurochirurgica,World Neurosurgery,and Journal of Neurosurgery.Keyword analysis highlighted focal research areas:"hemifacial spasm","microvascular decompression",and"trigeminal neuralgia".Conclusion:This bibliometric study provides critical insights into the evolution of research on HFS,highlighting key contributors,institutional influence,and research hotspots.The findings underscore ongoing collaborative opportunities and essential areas for future research exploration.