chiari with only one vertebral artery?

[bagheesmom]

Last week I found out I have Chiari 1 Malformation and have sent my tests off to specialists for review..my question is a few years ago it was discovered that I am missing my right distal vertebral artery. If I need Decompression surgery does anyone know what added complications/risks this adds? I cant find any info on this. Thanks in advance!

[selmaS]

  Many NL and NS's discount chiari and how it can affect us...so do not be surprised if this continues to be the case with the results and what they feel needs to be done or not done.

U really will need a true chiari specialist to review ur MRI, so if u do not have the MRI, request copies....

We do have a list of the members NS"s, not all may be true chiari specialists but they have treated a member successfully.

  Use the list to do research, it is not a referral.

  And know that u r not alone and ask as much as u need to and vent, this is a safe place to do it all : )

[bagheesmom]

Thank you so much for your response. Its so hard waiting to hear from anyone on this. The Neurologist I was seeing said my MRI was normal and I found this written and on the report when I picked up my medical records last week so Im still a little freaked out! I have an appt with my new neuro next tues until I can get a response/appt with a neurosurgeon.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  If u r a surgical candidate is where this may come into play, so I got info for  how one is prepared for surgery-

[ Preparation for surgery for Chiari I decompression is the same as for any elective surgery and depends on the patient's general health. The author routinely obtains CBC, basal metabolic panel, PT, aPTT, chest radiograph, and ECG. Blood is typed and screened. The patient is restricted to nothing by mouth (NPO) after midnight and admitted on the morning of surgery.

Thigh-high anti-embolic stockings and sequential compression devices are applied. Antibiotic prophylaxis with cefazolin or vancomycin is given within 1 hour of making the incision. Dexamethasone is given. Mannitol is not given. If adequate peripheral venous access cannot be established, a central venous catheter is inserted. A Foley catheter is inserted. An arterial line may or may not be inserted, depending on the anesthesiologist's preference. Intubation is carried out, with careful attention given to the extent of neck extension.]

Ur Dr would take into consideration all that can and can not be done with the anatomy u have and do not have to work with.

At this point, I would not let this bother u, but do make sure the Dr u choose does discuss this with u in detail.

[nsalem656]

Welcome to the group. Unfornately I can't answer the question.