8-Year-Old Undergoes Successful Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke

Case Presentation

An 8-year-old boy presented with an inability to speak upon waking up in the morning. The child’s condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting his family to rush him to a nearby health center. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was transferred to Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, where a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists in Neurology, Paediatrics, and Interventional Radiology conducted a comprehensive evaluation.

Diagnosis

The boy was diagnosed with an acute ischaemic stroke, a rare condition in paediatric patients. Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Director of Neurology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, explained that while paediatric stroke is rare, it impacts about 1 in 4,000 newborns and 2,000 older children annually. In this case, the stroke was severe, requiring immediate intervention to restore blood flow to the brain.

Management

Given the urgency of the situation, the medical team decided to perform a mechanical thrombectomy to remove the clot obstructing blood flow in the brain. Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure, which is often used in adults but less frequently in paediatric cases due to the rarity of strokes in children. Dr. Tegbir Singh Sidhu, Principal Consultant, Interventional Radiology, noted that the child exhibited typical symptoms of paediatric stroke, including di culty speaking, sudden weakness on one side of the body, and slurred speech. The swift decision to proceed with mechanical thrombectomy was crucial in preventing further brain damage.

Outcome and Follow-up

The procedure was successful, with the clot being removed, allowing restoration of normal blood flow to the brain. The boy recovered well and resumed his daily activities, including attending school and engaging in routine tasks. His recovery was closely monitored, and no long-term complications were observed. Follow-up care included regular check-ups to ensure the child’s neurological functions remained intact

Discussion

Paediatric stroke is an uncommon but serious condition. Dr. Mishra emphasised that stroke in children can result from various factors such as genetic conditions, blood disorders (like sickle cell disease or haemophilia), or trauma to the head or neck. Additionally, infections that narrow the brain’s blood vessels, as well as heart problems, can increase the risk of stroke in children. In this case, the early recognition of symptoms, such as speech di culties and weakness, allowed for prompt intervention.

Dr. Sidhu highlighted that the signs of stroke in children can be challenging to detect, especially in younger patients who may not be able to express their symptoms. However, rapid identification and treatment of stroke, as seen in this case, can lead to positive outcomes. This case underscores the importance of awareness regarding paediatric stroke symptoms and the need for specialised interventions, such as mechanical thrombectomy, which can significantly improve survival and recovery rates in children with stroke