Functional recovery after decompressive craniectomy for cerebral infarction.

There is continuing controversy about the benefits of decompressive craniectomy in the treatment of lesions causing increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain edema. Laboratory work has shown a decrease in ICP after craniectomy, but also a paradoxical enhancement in the formation of underlying cerebral edema, which may act to the detriment of the patient. Since Rengachary et al. advocated craniectomy for massive cerebral infarction and reported their group of three patients, we have managed five patients with acute supratentorial cerebral infarction who progressed to uncal herniation and impending death from raised ICP and brain stem compression. All were treated with frontotemporal craniectomy after conventional medical therapy failed to achieve a response. All patients survived and are walking, despite a paresis appropriate to their original stroke. Two have returned to work. Good results with supratentorial craniectomy after infarction show that this procedure is life-saving and can also give acceptable functional recovery.