[Decompression craniectomy--life-saving treatment in acute cerebral infarction]

Massive cerebral infarction is often accompanied by early death secondary to transtentorial herniation. Decompressive hemicraniectomy has been suggested as a lifesaving procedure. We report the case of a 61 year old man who had an acute infarction in the distribution area of the right middle cerebral artery. Initially, he was awake and suffered from total left-sided hemiparalysis. Over the next two days, his level of consciousness deteriorated to a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 5. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was then established. Three days later, the ICP increased from 20 to 40 mm Hg. We performed a right-sided decompressive hemicraniectomy, and the ICP was normalized immediately. Ten months after surgery the patient was at home and functioning with minimal assistance. He had moderate paresis of the left leg and was able to walk, but his left arm was paralytic. The presented case confirms that decompressive hemicraniectomy may prevent death and allow survival without severe disability in patients with massive cerebral infarction.