Management of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction following a cardiac stab wound--the role of early decompressive craniectomy.
We report the presentation, investigation and management of a 22-year-old male who developed a right malignant middle cerebral artery infarct following a cardiac stab wound. This case exemplifies that early identification and timely decompression of young patients with embolic infarcts as a result of penetrating trauma can lead to a favourable clinical outcome.
Department of Neurotrauma, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust , London , UK.
John
J
Scotter
Robert
R
Iorga
Demetrios
D
Stefanou
Mark H
MH
Wilson
D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy / Q000379:methods; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
decompressive craniectomy; delayed ischaemic neurological deficit; raised intracranial pressure; stroke; surgical decompression; trauma