A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Research on Vessel Wall Magnetic Resonance Imaging in China

This study employed bibliometric methods to visually analyze Chinese-language literature on vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI), aiming to elucidate the current research status and emerging hotspots in China. Articles published from 2009 to May 2025 were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and CiteSpace 6.4.R1 was used to analyze co-occurrence and clustering of authors, institutions, and keywords. Annual publication trends, core research teams, and thematic developments were explored. A total of 255 valid articles were included, with publication volume increasing steadily and peaking in 2023. Author collaborations were primarily regional, and research was highly concentrated among a few authors and institutions. Frequently occurring keywords included "plaque," "stroke," and "intracranial artery." Nine thematic clusters were identified, covering ischemic stroke prognosis, atherosclerotic plaque analysis, and VW-MRI applications in aneurysms and arterial dissection. VW-MRI research in China is growing and expanding toward artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis and personalized prediction. Future work should focus on promoting cross-institutional collaboration and integrating advanced technologies to accelerate VW-MRI’s clinical translation and broader application in the early diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.