Decompressive craniectomy in children with severe encephalocranial trauma, an alternative treatment in the management of refractory intracranial hypertension: 2 clinical cases

Abstract

Introduction: Decompressive craniectomy continues to be a controversial treatment in children with post traumatic diffuse cerebral oedema who develop severe intracranial hypertension (SIH) refractory to conventional treatment. This is because there is no agreement in its exact indications or its real efficiency. 

Objective: To report the results of decompressive craniectomy used in the paedriatric ICU of the Dr. Sótero del Río Hospital in 2 patients aged 2 months and 8 years with a diagnosis of severe head injury and SIH refractory to conventional medical treatment. They presented with a Glasgow coma scale of 5, a cerebral scanner excluded lesions with a mass effect and had SIH (over 40 mmHg) and a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) over 60 mmHg. They were submitted to a bifrontal decompressive craniectomy to control intracranial pressure. Both patients survived; one with permanent severe sequelae and the other with minimal sequelae and an adequate social rehabilitation. 

Conclusions: Monitoring intracraneal pressure and image studies as part of a total neurointensive evaluation would identify those patients with a risk of uncontrolable cerebral oedema, in which decompressive craniectomy should be considered as a useful alternative treatment to prevent secondary irreversible brain damage.