Decompressive Craniectomy in Patients With Cerebellar Infarction

The investigators aimed to evaluate the outcome in participants up to 80 years of age with space-occupying cerebellar infarction treated with suboccipital decompressive craniectomy (SDC) compared to medical therapy alone.

Inclusion Criteria:The presence of cerebellar territory infarction with an NIHSS score ≥8.Initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <9 on admission and clinical deterioration (a score of ≥ 1 decrease on GCS score) within 48 hours from onset.Decrease in the level of consciousness to a score of ≥ 1 on item 1a (level of consciousness) of the NIHSS, rapid deterioration to coma.Exclusion Criteria:Prestroke mRS score ≥2.Prestroke score on the Barthel Index <95.Score on the Glasgow Coma Scale ≤6.Both pupils fixed and dilated.Any other coincidental brain lesion that might affect outcome.Space-occupying hemorrhagic transformation of the infarct.Pregnancy.Life expectancy <3 years.