Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Detects Intracranial Hypertension in Acute Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction.

Objectives: To evaluate optic nerve sheath diameter in the acute phase of patients with malignant ischemic middle cerebral artery stroke submitted or not to decompressive craniectomy surgery.

Materials And Methods: Forty patients participated in the study and were evaluated bilaterally by ultrasound on admission and at 24h, 48h and 72 h after admission. Optic nerve sheath diameter values were correlated with tomographic and/or clinical criteria compatible with severe intracranial hypertension.