title: The clinical efficacy of decompressive craniectomy in patients with an internal carotid artery territory infarction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the surgical efficacy of and factors associated with decompressive craniectomy in patients with an internal carotid artery (ICA) territory infarction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients (8 men and 9 women, average age 61.53 years, range 53-77 years) were treated by decompressive craniectomy for an ICA territory infarction at our institute. We retrospectively reviewed medical records, radiological findings, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at presentation and before surgery. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 17 patients, 15 (88.24%) achieved a poor outcome (Group A, GOS 1-3) and 2 (11.76%) a good outcome (Group B, GOS 4-5). The mortality rate at one month after surgery was 52.9%. Average preoperative NIHSS was 27.6±10.88% in group A and 10±4.24% in group B. Mean cerebral infarction fraction at the septum pellucidum level before surgery in group A and B were 33.67% and 23.72%, respectively. Mean preoperative NIHSS (p=0.019) and cerebral infarction fraction at the septum pellucidum level (p=0.017) were found to be significantly associated with a better outcome. However, no preexisting prognostic factor was found to be of statistical significance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rate of mortality after ICA territory infarction treatment is relatively high, despite positive evidence for surgical decompression, and most survivors experience severe disabilities. Our findings caution that careful consideration of prognostic factors is required when considering surgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Tae Hong
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Jae
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hyung Shik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Yong Soon
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Sang Keun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Cerebral infarction; Decompressive craniectomy; Surgical efficacy