Just a 'little' Chiari

When I was 10 years old, an MRI at one of the Shriner

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

It is commonly difficult to prove that headaches are due to a Chiari malformation, and you do not want to have brain surgery if you do not need it

It is more likely that the Chiari is causing symptoms 1) if there is evidence of lower brainstem dysfunction - this may be the cause for your ataxia, more may be apparent on a good neurological examination
2) the headaches are posterior and may have a postural component
3) the chiari is >3mm below the level of the foramen magnum
4) if resolution occurs after surgery - this is obviously not possible to ascertain now

It may also be a good idea to image the rest of the spinal cord as well to excluse other causes of your ataxia, and things sometimes associated with Chiari like a tethered cord (the spinal cord 'tied' to the bottom of the spinal column) or a myelomeningocele (connection between the spinal cord and the back) in the lower back area.

I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis, but an opinion from a specialist experienced in Chiaris might be a good idea. At the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Edward Benzel or Dr. Marc Luciano are very experienced in this regard

[jadedawn]

Just a little Chiari caught my eye.  There is research that there is even Chiari zero that causes horrid problems for sufferers, the ones you have mentioned as well.  I was 20mm herniated but in some areas was doing much better then those that were 3mm.  In this case I believe it to be true that Size does not matter!  What I would be more questioning would be the amount of flow that you have.  I would ask for a CINE mri.  I would ask that your Dr treat your symptoms and not just what the mri says.  And as the Dr said I would seek the best Neuro Surg in this field.  There is a web site called WACMA.com that is for people such as yourself.  The Dr recommended here has been seen by many as well.
Best of luck to you, ck out that web site!

jadedawn,ny
surg 1/03
chiari 20mm
geniculate neuralgia 10 years
2 children with chiari and basilar impression as well

[frog2314]

sounds like you have the same things as me and i had my surgery 3 days before my 24th bday and glad i did it has relieved so many or my headaches but mine was classified as arnold chari malformation not sure the specifics of the two but i know there is ask your doc mine is out of columbus ohio and he did a wonderful job mark fulton

[Jo10]

I had decompression the fossa for Chiari Malformation 6 years ago.  Despite some major complications after surgery, unrelated to Chiari, things have been going well.  Over the summer, I was experiencing pain in my chest when playing tennis.  Had all the cardio stuff done except a catherization, and everything looks fine.  Mentioned to my cardio that occasionally I had some numbness in my left arm, he immediately suggested I see my neurosurgeon.  They are scheduling a cervical spine MRI for this month.  Not sure I understand the connection, and because the dr is so busy, I won't really have any answers until I see him.  Anyone had anything similar to this?  Either before or after treatment for Chiari?

Also, jadedawn - how old are your children and how did you know to get them checked for Chiari?  I am 45, with 3 children 22,24,and 28 and have suspisions with my youngest but nothing concrete.  Just wondering.

Thanks for any help.

[jadedawn]

Jo,

I think Im pretty sure the reason your neuro is suggesting an MRI of the spine. It is to make sure that you dont have a syrinx.  Which really should have been checked to begin with when they found you had chiari.  Think of chiari as a wine cork in a btl.  What your brain was doing was herniating down into your spine and acting like a cork does in a btl, this for many causes flow issues, which can lead to developing a syrinx in your spine.
Now if i did a hack job of explaining that I suggest you go to the wacma.com page for a better explanation! lol

I had my children tested because they showed a lot of the symptoms I did when i was the same age.  Headaches, seeing spots, numbness in arm, dizzy and vertigo, hearing popping noises, headaches esp when bending over or straining...well you have chiari so you probably know the rest.....I didnt test one of my sons as he wasnt showing symptoms at the time....however its been a couple years since and he shows signs now.....I just feel it wouldnt change anything to know at this pt and may hurt his future to find out.......long story.

If your child has insurance have them get an mri....its not a big deal and she or he can just mention it is in the family.

Best of luck to you....also,,,,if your Dr is too busy for you that He cant answer your questions then perhaps your going to the wrong DR.  Im blest to have found the Drs I have now but they were not my first believe me.  I kept on looking till I found one that respected me and one that i could respect and get along with.  They are amoung the most important people in my life.

jadedawn

[AKDAN]

I wonder if when you had an MRI of your brain did you have spontaneuos neck muscle spasms in the latter part of the MRI, before the contrast dye was injected? I just had this expierence and although I've had 6 previous MRI's sinuses, galllbladder, lumbar more than once. I never have had any thing like this.