Role of mechanical thrombectomy in pediatric acute ischemic stroke: a case series.

BACKGROUND

Although ischemic stroke in children is relatively rare, its association with large vessel occlusion (LVO) carries significant clinical consequences. Pediatric ischemic stroke remains one of the leading causes of neurological disability, often resulting in permanent neurological shortfalls of varying severity. These long-term impairments impose a significant burden on affected families and healthcare systems. Currently, no standardized clinical guidelines exist for mechanical thrombectomy in children with acute ischemic stroke due to LVO, highlighting a critical gap in pediatric stroke management.

METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of four pediatric cases (ages 6-15 years) was conducted, presenting with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO)-induced ischemic stroke, treated with mechanical thrombectomy at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University. Clinical outcomes were assessed using NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 24 h and 90 days' post-procedure.

RESULTS

All four cases achieved post-thrombectomy NIHSS scores ≤ 2, indicating significant neurological recovery. At the 90-day follow-up, 100% of patients (4/4) achieved favorable mRS scores (0-2), indicating minimal to no disability and no procedural complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical thrombectomy demonstrates both efficiency and safety in treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in pediatric patients. While our findings align with emerging evidence of positive outcomes, larger, multicenter studies are imperative to establish standardized protocols and expand the application of this intervention in pediatric stroke care.