The Most Impactful Articles on Cauda Equina Syndrome

Abstract

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is an uncommon condition that can lead to permanent neurological deficits if not diagnosed and addressed promptly. Varying prognoses, including retropulsed fracture fragments, disc herniations, and epidural abscesses, can result in CES. Our objective was to identify the top 50 most impactful articles on CES and analyze the characteristics of these publications. In August of 2021, we used the Web of Science Core Collection bibliographic database to query the phrase "cauda equina syndrome." Articles between 1900 and 2021 were included in the search, and these articles were ranked based on the number of citations. The following variables were recorded: title, first author, journal, year of publication, number of citations, country of origin, the institution of publication, and topic of the paper. A total of 2096 articles matched the search criteria. The top 50 most impactful articles ranged from 43 to 439 in their number of citations. All articles on the list were published in English, with the year of publication ranging from 1938 to 2014. The United States accounted for the greatest number of articles published at 27. The medical journal Spine accounted for the greatest number of publications at nine. And the 2000s was the decade with the most cited articles. It is generally acknowledged that the clinical signals for CES are diverse with no predictive value on patient outcomes. Similar uncertainty exists in the etiology of the condition, though CES induced by spinal anesthesia is a factor of particular interest. Additionally, it is generally recognized that delayed diagnosis of the condition often results in permanent neurological deficits. Identification of the most impactful articles on CES is critical in drawing attention to this significant condition.

Robotic-Assisted Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Bibliometric Analysis Using the Scopus Database

“…In this review, we identify 10 articles with the most citations in the Scopus database related to roboticassisted hip and knee arthroplasty. Citation analysis, albeit with its limitations, allows for an objective measurement of peer recognition and offers insights into the readership of the articles [19,[30][31][32]. It is crucial for researchers to acknowledge that citation rates alone may not fully capture the multifaceted nature of research impact.…”

“…It is crucial for researchers to acknowledge that citation rates alone may not fully capture the multifaceted nature of research impact. While not directly linked to study quality, articles with high citation numbers indicate that various researchers have found the content beneficial and its material worthy of inclusion and discussion in their work [30][31][32]. Only two of the top 10 articles with the most citations were published within the last five years, with the top three articles having been published more than 15 years ago.…”