Can you have the cerebellar tonsils removed without causing permanent damage?

[jax11]

This is my 1st time on this forum. Not sure how it works yet. I had decompression surgery in 2006. Craniectomy, laminectomy and dura patch. Tonsils lifted with no cauterization. Was headache/ migraine free for 2 months only. Was able to work for 6 more years afterwards. Had to quit work & go on disability 2 years ago. Having headaches every day & migraines almost every day. Chronic neck pain, dizziness, ear fullness & diagnosed with P.O.T.S on 1/22/15 . The neurosurgeon that did my decompression was a great doctor but not a Chiari specialist. Recently saw a Chiari specialist & he wants to remove the cerebellar tonsils. I am TERRIFIED!! I've been trying to research this procedure.It seems that there's a dispute even among the Chiari specialists whether to remove them or not. I need to make a decision soon. I'm wanting to find someone who has had them removed & to see if they were better/ worse or suffered any brain damage.

[selmaS]

  Oh ok...I understand....wow....so that is why you still have symptoms.....Dr Rosner is a very good Dr from every thing I have read on him.....do keep us posted on what and when you take the next step.

[jax11]

He said he made a hammock type sling to put the tonsils in and lifted them. Dr. Rosner did read the surgical report and stated that there was no notations on lifting of the tonsils. The craniectomy, laminectomy and dura patch were all in the report. I think Rosner questions whether the tonsils were even lifted even though my neurosurgeon told me that he did.

[selmaS]

  He would know as he has taken care of many Chiarians.....with a good reputation.....

How did the original Dr explain how he "lifted" the tonsils?

  

[jax11]

Michael J Rosner, Hendersonville NC. Dr. Rosner said that just lifting the tonsils and removing bone still doesn't completely relieve the pressure on the brain stem & that is why I'm still so symptomatic.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Yes, to remove the tonsils was something they did all the time, but with research found that only in some cases it may be necessary as leaving them in place and doing the laminectomy of C1 and C2 should offer enuff space.

Do you know why there was not enuff room? DO you have a retroflexed odontoid? Or other issue?

We have had several members that had the tonsils removed  and I do not recall any of them having any ill effects as a result.....

May I ask who your next NS will be?

I had my tonsils cauterized and that was 5.5 yrs ago.....