Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance ••Of major importance

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32. Benejam B, Sahuquillo J, Poca MA, et al.:Quality of life and neurobehavioral changes in survivors of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction.J Neurol 2009,256:1126–1133.

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33. Larach DR, Larach DB, Larach MG:A life worth living: seven years after craniectomy.Neurocrit Care 2009,11:106–111. A personal account of an academic anesthesiologist who survived the aggressive treatment of a left MCI. In this paper, the author reflects on the concept of QoL and of the importance of intensive rehabilitation after massive stroke. This paper supports reconsidering the strong bias doctors generally show regarding life and death decisions based on the presumed QoL of survivors.

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34. Vahedi K:Decompressive hemicraniectomy for malignant hemispheric infarction.Curr Treat Options Neurol 2009,11:113–119.

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35. Hofmeijer J, Kappelle LJ, Algra A, et al.:Surgical decompression for space-occupying cerebral infarction (the Hemicraniectomy After Middle Cerebral Artery infarction with Life-threatening Edema Trial [HAMLET]): a multicentre, open, randomised trial.Lancet Neurol 2009,8:326–333.

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36. Merenda A, DeGeorgia M:Craniectomy for acute ischemic stroke: how to apply the data to the bedside.Curr Opin Neurol 2010,23:53–58.

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37. Arac A, Blanchard V, Lee M, Steinberg GK:Assessment of outcome following decompressive craniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction in patients older than 60 years of age.Neurosurg Focus 2009,26:E3.

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38. Schirmer CM, Ackil Jr AA, Malek AM:Decompressive Craniectomy.Neurocrit Care 2008,8:456–470.

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39. Kilincer C, Asil T, Utku U, et al.:Factors affecting the outcome of decompressive craniectomy for large hemispheric infarctions: a prospective cohort study.Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2005,147:587–594.

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40. Disque C, Gahn G:Ipsilateral parenchymal hemorrhage after hemicraniectomy in a patient suffering from malignant middle cerebral artery infarction.Neurologist 2007,13:95–97.

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41. Hofmeijer J, Algra A, Kappelle LJ, van der Worp HB:Predictors of life-threatening brain edema in middle cerebral artery infarction.Cerebrovasc Dis 2008,25:176–184.

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42. Simard JM, Tsymbalyuk N, Tsymbalyuk O, et al.:Glibenclamide is superior to decompressive craniectomy in a rat model of malignant stroke.Stroke 2010,41:531–537.

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43. Gerriets T, Stolz E, Konig S, et al.:Sonographic monitoring of midline shift in space-occupying stroke: an early outcome predictor.Stroke 2001,32:442–447.

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44. Mori K, Nakao Y, Yamamoto T, Maeda M:Early external decompressive craniectomy with duroplasty improves functional recovery in patients with massive hemispheric embolic infarction: timing and indication of decompressive surgery for malignant cerebral infarction.Surg Neurol 2004,62:420–429.

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45. Chen C, Carter BS:Hemicraniectomy for massive cerebral infarction.Top Stroke Rehabil 2004,11:7–11.

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46. Huh JS, Shin HS, Shin JJ, et al.:Surgical management of massive cerebral infarction.J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2007,42:331–336.

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47. Kim KT, Park JK, Kang SG, et al.:Comparison of the effect of decompressive craniectomy on different neurosurgical diseases.Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2009,151:21–30.

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48. Reddy AK, Saradhi V, Panigrahi M, et al.:Decompressive craniectomy for stroke: indications and results.Neurol India 2002,50(Suppl):S66–S69.

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49. Manawadu D, Quateen A, Findlay JM:Hemicraniectomy for massive middle cerebral artery infarction: a review.Can J Neurol Sci 2008,35:544–550.

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