Mapping the Evolving Research Landscape of Frontobasal and Anterior Skull Base Trauma

Frontobasal and anterior skull base fractures represent a subset of traumatic brain injury that is clinically complicated, with management spanning multiple fields such as neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology, and critical care. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection, with publication, citation, authorship, institutional, geographic, keyword, and network data analyzed using VOSviewer to map research trends, collaborative structures, and thematic evolution across the indexed literature. A total of 3415 publications were identified, demonstrating sustained growth peaking at 224 articles in 2025, with output concentrated in Clinical Neurology (47.2%) and Surgery (38.5%), led by US institutions and authors including Schievink WI (75 publications), and organized into 4 bibliographic coupling clusters spanning epidemiology, operative reconstruction, endoscopic approaches, and neuroendocrine complications. Publication and collaborative networks are concentrated among a small number of high-volume academic centers in North America and Europe. Emerging keyword trends include a focus on cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leaks and spontaneous intracranial hypotension. This bibliometric analysis establishes a comprehensive map of the frontobasal skull base fracture literature and the need for multicenter collaboration and prospective outcomes-based research.