Successful intravenous thrombolysis in a 14-year-old boy with ischemic stroke

We report a healthy 14-year-old boy with an acute left middle cerebral artery stroke, treated 2 hours after the onset of symptoms with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-TPA). Recanalization of the middle cerebral artery was documented with transcranial Doppler during the first 5 minutes of intravenous r-TPA perfusion, and progressive recovery of the neurological deficits occurred. Although lack of evidence regarding safety and efficacy in children precludes the recommendation of systematic use of r-TPA in pediatric stroke, we propose that this option should be considered and discussed with the parents, especially in older children presenting within 3 hours in centers with experience in adult thrombolysis.