CT hyperdensities after recanalization for anterior circulation large vessels occlusion: a predictor for malignant brain edema after ischemic stroke?

BACKGROUND

Treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) management is early revascularization. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has emerged as a powerful treatment option for LVO. Although MT, some patients develop malignant brain edema with intracranial hypertension. Decompressive craniectomy (DC) has proven effective in managing intracranial hypertension and preventing early mortality when performed within 48 h of stroke onset.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aims to investigate whether previous MT influences specific procedural aspects of DC. Additionally, we looked for potential radiological indicators that could be used in clinical practice to predict the need for DC following MT.

METHODS

Our retrospective study included patients that underwent DC for malignant anterior circulation AIS between January 2008 and December 2023 at Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori. Only patients with anterior circulation large vessel AIS of thrombotic or embolic origin were included. Patients who underwent MT prior to DC were included in a first group (MT patients); while patients who did not underwent MT constituted the control group (non-MT patients).

RESULTS

DC in MT patients was required after an average of 29.28 h from symptom onset, compared to 49.77 h in the control group (p < 0.005). Intraparenchymal hyperdensity was present at 12 h in 66.7% of cases in the first group and in 11.5% in the second group (p < 0.001). Midline shift was observed at 36 h in 18 MT patients in contrast to 12 patients in non-MT group (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing MT for anterior circulation LVO may still require DC, even after achieving successful reperfusion. In this subgroup, a more rapid progression to malignant stroke has been observed.