Question about low-lying cerebellar tonsils in child

[Jpooh]

What exactly is a low-lying cerebellar tonsils 4-5mm in an 8 year old child who has headaches that are only in the back of the head?

Thanks

[selmaS]

  Yes, but too many Drs use a certain size herniation to consider it an issue, most want to see a herniation of 5mm or larger...IMHO that is not the problem, it is the width not the length that makes the difference....

The best way I have to describe this  is for u to consider the skull where the herniation or low lying tonsil are to be like a funnel....if the tonsils were very long many Drs get concerned, but consider this- if they are long, and thin like shoe string licorice u could hang some down the funnel and it would not obstruct the flow of fluids.....but, change that to a upside down gumdrop, which may not hang down into the funnel, but it will cork up the opening and cause an obstruction.....

Only the Drs that deal with Chiari on a regular daily basis r aware how  chiari can affect us with minimal herniation......

   "selma"

[sassy123111]

No she does not have reflux..... It could be gas:) So when her cerebellar is lying low..is that a herniation??  I'm new to all this...so i don't know a whole lot about it. Thanks again.

[selmaS]

  It is possible the tonsils could herniate further, it could be a slow gradual increase in size or it could be quick....it all depends on her activity....there is a list of activities to avoid to help avoid symptoms and herniation.

As I mentioned, it is whether or not she also has a CSF obstruction, not the size of the herniation....

  I asked about IBS due to her stomach pains....does she have reflux?

  Deff get copies of hte MRI and CT so they can be compared...and try to keep her from bumping her head...or getting josseled around.

[sassy123111]

No she does not have IBS....she just drinks  a lot.....no diabetes either.... We will def. look more into this.Could her low lying tonsils become lower? she had an CT scan in Jan of this yr. and nothing was found on it. But her MRI last week showed the borderline low cerebellar tonsils... Thanks again for all of your helpful information.

[selmaS]

  The thirsty part is puzzling...has she been checked for other health issues like diabetes and thyroid?

Not that I do not feel it is the tonsils, but, many with chiari can have additional  issues and  an auto immune thyroid condition is highly possible as well as issues with her sugar levels as the pituitary gland can get compressed and this can cause all types of issues.

Swallowing issues again can be chiari and thyroid...so this deff needs to be looked at closer.

  With the stomach issues, does she have IBS?


    "selma"

[sassy123111]

She is thirsty all the time.....also