Global Trends of Craniopharyngioma Research: A Web of Science-Based Bibliometric Analysis from 1980 to 2024

Craniopharyngiomas are infrequent embryonic tumors positioned in the suprasellar region. Due to their adjacency to essential neurovascular structures, they present considerable clinical difficulties. Bibliometric analysis quantitatively evaluates research trends, influence, and international collaboration. This study assesses the scientific output on craniopharyngioma from 1980 to 2024. Data were obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) database, resulting in 3560 related papers. Bibliometric investigations were performed with Biblioshiny in R, including publishing trends, citation measures, national productivity, and co-authorship networks. Statistical methods, encompassing linear regression and Mann-Whitney U tests, evaluated research growth and citation disparities within journal indexing categories. The research findings indicated a notable rising tendency (R2 = 0.887, p < 0.001), reaching its peak in 2022. The United States continues to be the leading provider, while China's percentage of publications has increased considerably. High-income countries, particularly Sweden (42.65), Germany (41.95), and the United Kingdom (39.05), had the most tremendous citation impact. SCIE-indexed articles garnered more citations than non-SCIE publications (p < 0.001). Co-authorship networks demonstrated robust international collaboration, with the United States as a pivotal center. Global research on craniopharyngiomas has expanded, characterized by evolving regional contributions and increased international collaboration. Although China is becoming a significant contributor, high-income countries maintain their dominance in research impact. These observations underscore shifting academic tendencies and may guide future research and funding targets.