Post operative Arnold Chiari decompression complications

[Saggy Jones]

My wife has had an Arnold Chiari decompression operation and since the operation has been experiencing several post operative complications:

1. Headaches - from fron to back of head
2. Extreme nausea and vomiting
3. Build up of Cerebral fluid between the inserted membrane and the back of the head - causing this area to bulge and cause extreme pain.

Should this Cerebral fluid not be draining somewhere?

[TessRN]

How long ago was the surgery? I had ACM decompression surgery as well (11/05)...approx 5 wks post-op I started having severe headaches and swelling in the back of my head....to the side of the healed incision. I spoke with my surgeon's nurse who informed me that it was "normal" and probably just a muscle spasm. Well, I'm a Registered Nurse and knew it wasn't normal, but figured this is her specialty and knew what she was talking about! WRONG!!!  I went to my Primary Care MD, who tried to convince me it was a "gel" that the body was producing to take up the space of the removed bone and tissue. Again...plausable, but not likely in my book....went to my neurologist who ordered a CT scan......which showed a HUGE fistula/pseudomeningocele.....by the time of the CT, the swelling was the size of a grapefruit!! I was severely nauseated and couldn't open my mouth! I was dehydrated.....After the scan, I spoke with my surgeon and was admitted into the hospital the next day to have the "leak" repaired. The spinal fluid was leaking from the patch he had put on the dura. He put a lumbar drain in my back for 4 days .....and I felt SO much better!!
Has your surgeon been notified of the pain and swelling??? PLEASE don't let anyone brush it off.....I know how painful it is....and the potential complications aren't anything to ignore.
Good luck!!  Let me know how things turn out!!

[Saggy Jones]

8 weeks since initial surgery, 4 weeks since second surgery to close up dura

Your symptoms are exactly the same. Went through the same issues backwards and forwards, with the same answers.

Went to another neurosurgeon who acted quickly.....spinal fluid has been syringed off and a pressure bandage applied to equalise pressure - but the swelling is increasing again.

After the 4 day intervention - did your muscles close up behind the dura to allow for the CSF to reamin in the brain cavity?

Our concern is that the muscle that should have closed up, has not and is allowing CSF to flow through past the dura into the cavity betwene the skin and the dura.

What are the next steps as proposed by your doctor?

Regards,
Heydon

[Saggy Jones]

Tess, not sure if you got my reply.

Same symptoms as you - same interaction and responses.

Time: 8 weeks post initial op, 4 weeks post seconf opp to close up insert in dura again.

New neurosurgeon on Tuesday - expressed the excess fluid and put a bandage on to equalise pressure - but build up is present again.

Did you have complications again after your 4 days?

Did your muscles behind the dura come back together?

What was given as your options if the 4 days didnt work?

Regards,
Heydon

[bubbysmommy]

Hi Tess,

I have a question for you.  I have decompression on 12-18 and have a huge mass of squishy fluid about the size of my palm and is is freaking  me out my NS said that it is nothing to worry about and he isnt concerned about it right now. This didnt seem to happen untill i had a three hour drive for my post op and all of the sudden  there it was and hurting really bad.  It hasnt gone down at all since then and that was on  1-24.  I dont go back untill march 10 but am freaking out.  It is scary.  I am not sure what to do and i am supposed to go back to work tomorrow.  It does cause some pressure and headaches and my ear hurts but he said that this would have nothing to do with my ear i just cant imagine that it doesnt.  I need some guidance on what to do before i loose it.  Any help or suggestions would be great.  Thanks  

[lauralelise]

Anyone,

I had the Chiari decompression sugery and about 3 yrs later began to have the fainting spells (losing consciousness for a few seconds and hitting the ground), really bad headaches, this pressure feeling in my head that is overwhelming. The fainting occurs about 5 times a week as well as the headaches, and pressure pain. I have been doing this for 6 yrs now and cannot find any help. I was wondering if this is related to the chiari and if anyone else has had any of these symptoms. I have been to so many doctors (neurologists who send me to cardiologists and vice versa) and no one knows what is causing this. I am about at my wits end and need some help and advice. If anyone knows please let me know!!!! THANKS.

laura

[ChiariMom]

My daughter had Chiari decompression surgery.  She had pain and pressure, dizziness, fainting all post surgery.  Because the MRI looked ok the dr's never felt the symptoms were related to the chiari. So she was checked out by cardialogists and neurologists, had tilt table tests and ekg's and eegs etc.... She recently asked her neurosurgeon to order an MRI with CSF (to show the cerebral spinal flow). This showed  that no fluid was moving in one area. Her Neurosergeon then ordered a myelogram that showed fluid pooling up (at her chiari site). They thought the patch from her surgery was leaking so they went in to repair.  During her surgery it was quickly evident that the patch (layers of collagen) had divided and her spinal fluid was filling into the patch like a balloon and was pressing on her cerebellum.  I don't know of course what's causing your pain and pressure,, but if you have not had an MRI to check your CSF you may want to ask your neurosurgeon about this.