Traumatic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion: A Case Report

Abstract

Traumatic occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is a rare cause of cerebral infarction. Malignant infarction of the MCA is associated with a mortality rate of 80%. Arterial dissection, cerebral vasospasm, and thrombosis may be the pathogenesis of this condition. Poor admission Glasgow coma scale score, low systolic blood pressure, and brain herniation are significantly associated with development of posttraumatic cerebral infarction. There is no effective medical treatment for malignant MCA infarction. Decompressive craniotomy is the last solution to prevent severe damage or death. We report a 51-year-old female having craniofacial injury, multiple chest trauma, hemothorax, pneumothorax, and cerebral infarction after a traffic accident. Despite decompression surgery, she died two days after the injury.

Keywords

• Middle cerebral artery
• trauma
• decompressive craniectomy
• posttraumatic cerebral infarction