Hemicraniectomía descompresiva en dos pacientes con infarto maligno de la arteria cerebral media / Decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. Report of two cases

ABSTRACT

Malignant middle cerebral territory infarction represents 5 to 10 percent of all brain infarctions. Its mortality is 80 percent, due to brain herniation and it is not reduced by medical treatment. Decompressive hemicraniectomy reduces mortality to 12 percent, and the subsequent quality of life of patients is acceptable. We report two male patients aged 61 and 54 years, with a malignant middle cerebral territory infarction who were treated with decompressive hemicraniectomy. After two years of follow up, both patients are self-sufficient and live at home with their families.