Malignant cerebral infarction and hemicraniectomy

BACKGROUND: Malignant cerebral infarction has 80% mortality rate that could be decreased by hemicraniectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated medical records of all 12 consecutive patients who underwent hemicraniectomy due to malignant cerebral infarction in Kuopio university hospital between 2003 and 2/2009. RESULTS: Infarction affected left hemisphere in 4/12 patients and right hemisphere in 8/12 patients. 50% of the patients (6/12) survived. Operation delay was not associated with outcome. Systolic blood pressure in acute phase was significantly lower in survivors as compared to non-survivors (126 +/- 8 mmHg vs 154 +/- 12 mmHg, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Selected patients with malignant cerebral infarction benefit from hemicraniectomy.