We report the presentation, investigation and management of a 22-year-old male who developed a right malignant middle cerebral artery infarct following a cardiac stab wound. This case exemplifies that early identification and timely decompression of young patients with embolic infarcts as a result of penetrating trauma can lead to a favourable clinical outcome.
Keywords: decompressive craniectomy; delayed ischaemic neurological deficit; raised intracranial pressure; stroke; surgical decompression; trauma.