| What is cerebellar herniation. What is the prognosis? Are there treatments? Is this considered a neurodegenerative disorder? Is it called by another name. What could have caused it? If it cannot be treated, how rapid is the neurological degeneration. I have surgically treated cervical and thoracic myelopathies. I have both upper motor neuron signs and now have developed lower motor signs. Also have hyper active jaw jerk but no dysphagia. My cranial nerves are still testing normal. I am having intermittant visual stuff, also developing swelling of face, eye lids and hands. For crying out loud, even my very expensive capped teeth are abscessing or reabscessing, even though they have had root canals. Can the cerebellar herniation be the cause of progressing symptoms? Thanks,
cindy
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Hello Cindy!!
First let me apologize for our delay in answering your question. Cerebellar herniation is when the cerebellum, the back part of the brain that controld balance, is displaced, usuallly downward, into a place where it should not be, most often the foramen magnum, which is the hole that your spinal cord goes through as it connects to the brain. Its most common cause in otherwise healthy persons with no brain tumor or hemorrhage to cause it is a congenital conditon known as a Chiari malformation, type I. It can cause headaches, hydrocephalus (accumulation of spinal fluid in the fluid spaces of the brain), and a problem called syringomyelia, where an abnormal spinal fluid channel forms in the spinal cord. The only definitive treatment of symptomatic cerebellar herniation due to a Chiari malformation is surgery to unroof the bone of the foramen magnum so that the displaced part of the cerebellum is no longer being squished against it. Whether or not you have a Chiari malformation and if it is responsible for any or all of your symptoms, is of course not something we can tell you wirthout evaluating you and seeing your actual MRI films. Remember that information we provide on the forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only, and that the actual diagnosis and treatment of your specific medical condition should be strictly in conjunction with your treating physician(s). We hope you find the information useful. If you would be interested in a foraml evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic, our number is 1-800-223-2273. Good Luck!
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