Surg Neurol
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Acute occlusion of the major cerebral arteries results in ischaemic changes to the brain, without time for reperfusion by the collateral circulation. The subsequent cellular events lead to a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, causing malignant cerebral edema manifested clinically by a rapid neurological deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine the value of surgical decompression in patients who present with acute cerebral infarction. ⋯ Decompressive craniectomy in the setting of acute brain swelling from cerebral infarction is a life-saving procedure and should be considered in younger patients who have a rapidly deteriorating neurologic status.