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Decompressive hemicraniectomy in pediatric patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: case series and review of the literature.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shah, S; Murthy, SB; Whitehead, WE; Jea, A; Nassif, LM
Published in: World Neurosurg
2013

OBJECTIVE: Malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (mMCAI) is a life-threatening condition in pediatric patients. Despite strong evidence showing decreased morbidity and mortality in adult mMCAI patients with decompressive hemicraniectomy (DCH), there is a paucity of data on the use of DCH in children with similar conditions. Here we report experience from our center and perform a systematic review of published literature on outcomes after use of DCH in pediatric mMCAI patients. METHODS: By retrospective chart review, we identified 3 children with large ischemic stroke who underwent DCH for life-threatening cerebral edema. Information was obtained about patient characteristics on admission, radiological features of the stroke, surgical procedures, complications of the DCH and cranioplasty, and functional outcomes during follow-up visits. We also reviewed the current literature on DCH in pediatric stroke. RESULTS: DCH was performed in all 3 cases after development of pupillary dilatation. All 3 children survived and were ambulatory at the time of follow-up. Review of literature identified 12 other published case series describing 26 cases of DCH in pediatric patients with ischemic stroke. Descriptive statistical analysis of these cases is presented. Published reports suggest that a good outcome is possible even in the presence of signs of herniation, low preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score, involvement of multiple vascular territories, or longer time to surgery in pediatric ischemic stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest a role for DCH in the management of cerebral edema in pediatric patients with mMCAI. Factors that help in prognostication for adult stroke patients undergoing DCH do not appear to convey similar information about the pediatric population. This highlights the urgent need for collaboration across institutes to further investigate this potentially life-saving procedure in pediatric stroke.

Duke Scholars

Published In

World Neurosurg

DOI

EISSN

1878-8769

Publication Date

2013

Volume

80

Issue

1-2

Start / End Page

126 / 133

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Stroke
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Pupil
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Paresis
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Muscle Weakness
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Shah, S., Murthy, S. B., Whitehead, W. E., Jea, A., & Nassif, L. M. (2013). Decompressive hemicraniectomy in pediatric patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: case series and review of the literature. World Neurosurg, 80(1–2), 126–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2013.06.001
Shah, Shreyansh, Santosh B. Murthy, William Ernest Whitehead, Andrew Jea, and Lisa Michael Nassif. “Decompressive hemicraniectomy in pediatric patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: case series and review of the literature.World Neurosurg 80, no. 1–2 (2013): 126–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2013.06.001.
Shah, Shreyansh, et al. “Decompressive hemicraniectomy in pediatric patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: case series and review of the literature.World Neurosurg, vol. 80, no. 1–2, 2013, pp. 126–33. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2013.06.001.
Journal cover image

Published In

World Neurosurg

DOI

EISSN

1878-8769

Publication Date

2013

Volume

80

Issue

1-2

Start / End Page

126 / 133

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Stroke
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Pupil
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Paresis
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Muscle Weakness