The results of a major Medical Research Council trial, undertaken in collaboration with the Stroke Association, show that early surgery is not always the best treatment for one of the commonest and most lethal forms of stroke.

The results of the trial are expected to help doctors decide the best way to care for patients with the condition.

Stakeholder Response: Medical Research Council

Dr David Mendelow, who led the trial, said: "The results will help us decide better how to manage patients with this type of stroke – careful clinical observation and surgery can be life-saving but there’s no need to rush in with an operation, except perhaps in those patients where the blood clot is significantly close to the surface.  This type of clot should not be confused with the type of clot that occurs after an injury."

Stakeholder Response: Stroke Association

Dr Joanne Knight, associate director of research and development for the Stroke Association, said: "The Stroke Association welcomes this new research which is the biggest ever neurosurgical collaboration and will have a significant influence on practice internationally.