Requirements for diagnosis

[bookworm79]

So wiki says the following:  Diagnosis is made through a combination of patient history, neurological examination, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The radiographic criteria for diagnosing a congenital Chiari I Malformation is a downward herniation of the cerebellar tonsils greater than 5 mm below the foramen magnum. Other imaging techniques involve the use of 3-D CT imaging of the brain and cine imaging (a movie of the brain) can be used to determine if the brainstem is being compressed by the pulsating arteries that surround it.[22]

I never asked my doctor what my mm's are.  If he officially diagnosed me with C1M, then it's safe to say that the mm's is at least 5 per the above statement?

Thanks

[linnielou232]

My doc. explained to me.  For mine was at 6.5 he said that is not what matter.  My cerebellum looked like a cone coming out of the skull.  Which tells me that it was wider at the skull.  That is what Selma states that it is the width not the length.  Now I understand more.  You have no room for the flow of Spinal fluid to flow properly.  Good luck.

[linnielou232]

I know Selma your statement is true, but I told my grandkid's it was because I was so smart my brain was to big for my skull. "Sound's better" LOL... Have a good day.

[selmaS]

  That criteria is not what all NS's go by  as it  has been found not to be a true way to identify symptomatic chiari.

Most NS's that are chiari specialists do their own research and do not go by the herniation length, but if there is an obstruction and overcrowding along with the symptoms one is dealing with.

So really it depends on ur NS.

  But, the true deff of chiari is if u have a malformation of the skull, not a 5mm herniation as the herniation is the result of the skull being too small.

JMHO