Bibliometric analysis of 25 years of research and publications in neuro-oncology in Pakistan: Trends and future directions.

Background and Objective: Neoplastic lesions of the brain and spinal cord have been on a steady rise in low- and middle-income countries. In recent years, there has been an uprise in neuro-oncology encompassing surgery, oncology, radiology, infectious diseases, and artificial intelligence. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field is scarce. The objective of the study was to analyze neuro-oncology publications from Pakistan and quantify the contributions of Pakistani individuals and institutions. Methodology: A bibliometric analysis of all neuro-oncology research conducted by Pakistani authors or institutions over the last 25 years (2000-2024) was performed using PubMed Central. All relevant case reports, case series, original articles, and review articles were included. The studies conducted in non-Pakistani institutions and collaborative studies were excluded. The data were stratified according to predefined keywords. A total of 210 articles were included in the final analysis. Results: Among provinces, Sindh contributed the most publications 66.67%(152), followed by Punjab 16.67%(38). Aga Khan University leads from the front with 132 publications. Publications ranged from original articles (37.4%) to review articles (31.1%). Gliomas were among the most common tumours discussed (25.8%). The Journal of Pakistan Medical Association was the most significant contributor (34.7%), followed by Surgical Neurology International (7.14%). Maximum number of studies (53) were published in the year 2024. Conclusion: An exponential rise in publications in the year 2024 compared to previous years signifies the growing perception of neuro-oncology. However, the dominance of a single institution underscores the need for broader research development across Pakistan.