Neurosurg Focus
-
A subset of patients with ischemic cerebrovascular stroke suffer a progressive deterioration secondary to massive cerebral ischemia, edema, and increased intracranial pressure (ICP). The evolution is often fatal. ⋯ For these reasons, decompressive craniectomy has been increasingly proposed as a life-saving measure in patients with large, space-occupying hemispheric infarction. The authors review the rationale, indications, and clinical experience with this procedure, which has been performed in patients who have had supratentorial ischemic stroke.