Mechanical Thrombectomy in Pediatric Stroke: Report of Three New Cases.

BACKGROUND

Mechanical thrombectomy for treatment of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is well-studied in adult populations, but not in children.

METHODS

We report 3 new cases of pediatric stroke treated using mechanical thrombectomy. Two cases of AIS and 1 case of CVT were identified from 2018 pediatric stroke clinic records.

RESULTS

Thrombectomy was successful in 1 of the 2 AIS cases and in the CVT case. None of the children were asymptomatic after thrombectomy. One AIS case had good recovery than developed dystonia which responded to treatment; the second AIS case had residual hemiplegia; and the child with CVT had mild school problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical thrombectomy is being increasingly used for pediatric stroke treatment. This study and recent literature reviews suggest thrombectomy holds promise as a treatment for selected pediatric stroke patients. Questions remain about the safety and efficacy of thrombectomy in children with stroke since large randomized controlled studies are not yet feasible.