Low Lying tonsils

[laxpolt]

My daughter (9yrs) had an MRI and the Doctor said she had a benign tier 1 formation, low lying cerebellar tonsils. Are low lying tonsils always called chiari?

[eemomof3]

My doctor told me my Chiari was benign, too. Also, that it had no symptoms and would have no affect on my life. Please take steps to get her further checked and with a more knowledgeable doctor. :)  My son has started having headaches and I am planning on having him checked this summer.

[selmaS]

  A CSF obstruction is ne thing that blocks the flow of ur cerebral spinal fluid...it could be the cerebral tonsils, a bulging disk, or a syrinx.

C- PAP is a machine to help one breath at night when they r dx with sleep apnea..C PAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure...this is used for those with sleep apnea u said ur DD was dx'd with it.

[laxpolt]

What is a CSF obstruction?  Also what is a C-Pap?

[selmaS]

  Until u get this rechecked by a true chiari specialist I would suggest no contact sports, and yes, the sleep apnea could very well be related to chiari.

Just bcuz they worded it one way does not mean she does not have chiari, the problem is finding Drs that know the current criteria to dx it...some r going on outdated info and ignoring way too much and not connecting the dots, such as the sleep apnea....

Does ur DD have a C-Pap?

[laxpolt]

I have also been reading about sleep apnea, she was diagnosed with this around 6 and had a T&A.  Is this possibly related?

[laxpolt]

Thank you for your time and information.  I am still trying to understand all of this.  Even if she does not have chiari, she should not play sports?  I will get copies of her tests and get a second opinion.  We currently have an appointment with a concussion specialist to see if she has sustained one, she was hit in the head with a lacrosse ball several weeks ago.

[selmaS]

  If she has Chiari, I would suggest no contact sports like lacrosse` .Even gymnastics is too dangerous for those with these issues, one wrong move of the neck...I understand she loves to do those things, but I look to the Pro football players with concussion syndrome and think is it worth it? They didn't even have chiari....this is JMHO from what I have learned, and experiecned having chiari.

I would take copies of her MRI and the reports and get a 2nd opinion from a true chiari specialist.

[laxpolt]

constant headaches, more extreme when she plays lacrosse and does her gymnastics.  She is very athletic and is going to be very sad if she needs to stop all of her sports.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
No not always, but that does not mean low lying tonsils mean ur DD has chiari either....this is such a mixed up condition and how it is dx'd and the criteria used....so, do check to see if it is a congenital condition and get a CINE MRI to see if she has a CSF obstruction.....

What symptoms does she have?