MRI Results - Need Help

[JoeMama94]

My mom recently got diagnosed with Chiari Malformation - 26mm!  I just got an MRI and it says "mild 1 -2 mm of inferior cerebellar tonsillar ectopia".  It appears from what I have read today, it is not considered a Chiari unless it is 5mm or more?  Also - can it get bigger - can my 1-2 mm worsen with time? Should I avoid rollercoasters, heavy lifting, sneezing/coughing etc to prevent it from becoming larger?  My doctor didn't even mention this result in his write up - so he apparently doesn't believe it's worh mentioning.  I want to be informed. THANKS!!!

[sleepypea]

You should avoid all of those things. Even though the Dr. may not consider a 1-2 mm herniation worth mentioning it is still a herniation and can be made worse by applying force or pressure. If care is applied now maybe you can prevent it from worsoning so it doesn't end up like your moms. However we all know here it's not neccessarily the length of the herniation, but rather there is flow restriction/obstruction or a syrinx. You have enough showing on your MRI that you may want to further your testing and have your entire spine checked for a syrinx, TC, and/or other related conditions that sometimes go hand in hand with Chiari.
I would skip all the middle Dr.s if possible and go straight to the top with a Chiari specialist. Some Dr.s would consider you Chiari zero based on the size but the truth of the matter is the malformation is in the skull and herniation is just a result so yes, you probably do have a true Chiari malformation :)

Hope this helps

~Stacie

[selmaS]

Hi...roller coasters can trigger dormant symptoms...so, u may want to avoid activities that may cause u distress or strain.

The herniation can grow, but, it is not the length that is most important as many drs feel....many with a herniation smaller than 5mm can have worse syptoms than someone with a larger herniation, Width of the tonsil is important too  as it can block CSF flow and that is very important. Over crowding is another issue u need to find out if u have.

Find a true chiari specialist to help u get the proper care.See our list of chiari drs to help u research to locate the dr right for u.The list is not intended as a referral.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Chiari-Malformation/LIST-OF-CHIARI-SPECIALISTS/show/1293483

"selma"