Mcilvain, Yes, you should have it checked. You should have follow up MRI's at least every 2 to 3 years. Chiari isn't curable, the surgery only slows things down. The hernation can still get larger.
What you discribe sounds like Syringomyleia. Did you have that the first time? You should see your neurosurgeon about having your entire spine as well as your skull imaged.
And oklinda, have they talked about re-doing your surgery? That shouldn't have happened. The hole should have been patched with a couple (or more) layers of protection.
I had my surgery in 1999 and now, I am having heaches and problems again, and I had an MRI and it showed that where they removed my scull and vertabras that the membrane?? (don't know if that is the right spelling) around my brain is falling into that area.
If I were you I would go get another MRI....Linda