Is decompressive craniectomy for acute cerebral infarction of any benefit?

BACKGROUND Acute occlusion of the major cerebral arteries results in ischaemic changes to the brain, without time for reperfusion by the collateral circulation. The subsequent cellular events lead to a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, causing malignant cerebral edema manifested clinically by a rapid neurological deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine the value of surgical decompression in patients who present with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS Retrospective review of patients with deteriorating consciousness level from massive cerebral ischemia and secondary edema, treated by decompressive craniectomy. RESULTS There were 10 patients over a 2-year period from 1997-99, consisting of seven male and three female patients (mean age 47.56 years) with a mean preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6/15. Three patients had dominant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction, four had nondominant MCA infarction, one had posterior cerebral artery infarction, and the remaining two had cerebellar infarction. At a mean follow-up period of 7 months, two patients had died (20% mortality), four patients (40%) were vegetative or severely disabled, and the remaining four patients (40%) had mild disability or good outcome. Favorable prognostic factors were younger age (less than 50 years) and good initial GCS score (14 or better). CONCLUSION Decompressive craniectomy in the setting of acute brain swelling from cerebral infarction is a life-saving procedure and should be considered in younger patients who have a rapidly deteriorating neurologic status. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc.