A bibliometric analysis of research on bone marrow edema syndrome, transient osteoporosis of the hip, regional migratory osteoporosis, and related terms.

INTRODUCTION

Bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES), transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH), and regional migratory osteoporosis are overlapping terms used inconsistently to describe a rare condition marked by transient joint pain, bone marrow edema, and localized demineralization. The lack of standardized terminology and diagnostic criteria has hindered research coherence.

METHODS

In this bibliometric analysis, we aimed to characterize the historical and structural development of literature in this field and identify influential contributions, key themes, and collaborative patterns among authors. A systematic search was conducted in Embase and MEDLINE via the Ovid platform. Bibliometric data were extracted from Web of Science and Scopus.

RESULTS

A total of 769 publications were retrieved, of which 661 had bibliometric metadata in Web of Science or Scopus. Publication activity spanned 1950 to 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. Most publications were categorized as articles (73.5%) with a median citation count of 3 (range 0-340). Core topics included transient osteoporosis of the hip, BMES, magnetic resonance imaging, and necrosis. A total of 2575 unique authors were identified, with a collaboration index of 3.3. International co-authorship was limited (3.4%) and there were few prolific contributors. The most active journals included Osteoporosis International, Skeletal Radiology, and the Journal of Rheumatology. The United States, Germany, and Italy were the most productive countries by corresponding author affiliation.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature on BMES and related terms is fragmented, with slow publication growth and low author retention. This analysis underscores the urgent need for terminological standardization, consensus-based diagnostic criteria, and enhanced international collaboration to unify research efforts and advance clinical understanding.