Delayed microsurgical revascularization in an acute ischemic stroke based on perfusion study.

A 58-year-old patient presented with a severe neurological deficit due to a stroke caused by an occlusion of the left internal carotid artery siphon. Standard treatment failed and neurosurgical consult was delayed. Because of a favorable perfusion imaging finding, microsurgical revascularization via an extra-intracranial bypass (left superficial temporal artery - left middle cerebral artery) was performed 36 hours after the onset of the symptoms. The outcome of the patient was favorable. The authors want to emphasize the need to actively seek patients with a severe neurological deficit and still viable brain tissue. The time window and treatment alternatives are discussed.