Auto accident & Chiari

[TeamSuper]

Hello,

I had a posterior fossa decompression of my Chiari Malformation and partial laminectomy of C1 in 12/2010.  I was just involved in a somewhat minor car accident, this last week.  But since, have had a horrible headache and blurred vision, aside from the normal neck and back aches and pains that one would expect from a car accident like mine.  The doctor that I saw at the ER, didn't even call for a neuro consult, because my symptoms were those that I have had in the past.  Yes, have had blurred vision and severe headaches in the past, but didn't have it at the time of the accident!?  Is this something that can exacerbate a previously decompressed Chiari?

[S_Chaney]

I'm shocked that they know you had a PFD and didn't do an MRI on the spot.

That's scary...

[selmaS]

   Hmmm  would  think  whip lash would  show, but from what I understand  can take  time  for the spine to shift...as it is the twisting of the cervical muscles that pull the cervical spine out of place  and then   you get  a DX of loss of  cervical lordosis.....which is directly a whip lash type of injury.

  Mine went unDX's for 14 yrs....so, I know it is frustrating....but  you will need  a Dr that knows what you  have been thru and will do more testing....

While you  wait to see  if this set of symptoms leaves....try  using  heat/ice and move your neck....use  exercises like you did post op....

[TeamSuper]

Had a CT and X-Rays of my spine to rule out fractures. No MRI.

[selmaS]

  Hi  and  welcome  to the Chiari forum,

Yes, it is possible to have  a flare of symptoms  after  a MVA....if  you  have gone the last  4 yrs with no symptoms, then you may want to wait some time to see if the new symptoms lessen  or increase with time.....

  Whip lash can cause some very painful  issues in the same  area as Chiari would...and may   not show  up right away....did they do an xray  or MRI?