Long-term functional outcome after decompressive suboccipital craniectomy for space-occupying cerebellar infarction

Suboccipital decompressive craniectomy (SDC) is considered the best treatment option in patients with space-occupying cerebellar infarction and clinical signs of deterioration. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term functional outcome in patients one year after SDC for space-occupying cerebellar infarction, and secondly, to determine factors associated with outcome.

All patients treated with SDC due to space-occupying cerebellar infarction between January 2009 and October 2015 were included in the study. Data was retrospectively collected from patient records, CT/MRI scans and surgical protocols. Long-term functional outcome was determined by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and mRS ≥ 4 was defined as unfavorable outcome.

Twenty-two patients (16 male, 6 female) were included in the study. Median age was 53 years. Nine patients were treated with external ventricular drainage as an initial treatment attempt prior to SDC. Median time from symptom onset (stroke ictus) to initiation of the SDC surgery was 48 h (IQR 28-99 hours) and median GCS before SDC was 8 (IQR 5-10). At follow up, median mRS was 3 (IQR 2-6). Outcome was favorable (mRS 0-3) in 12 patients and unfavorable in 10 (3 with major disability, 7 dead). Brainstem infarction and bilateral cerebellar infarction were associated with unfavorable outcome.

In this small study, functional long-term outcome in patients with space-occupying cerebellar infarction treated by SDC was acceptable and comparable to previously published results (favorable outcome in 54% of patients). Brainstem infarction and bilateral cerebellar infarction were associated with unfavorable outcome.