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Lower back of your skull
- A Chiari malformation is a growth abnormality where brain tissue in the lower back of your skull extends into your spinal canal (the base of your skull).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6008-chiari-malformationChiari Malformation: What It Is, Symptoms, Types & Treatment
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A Chiari malformation, previously called an Arnold-Chiari malformation, is where the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal. There are 4 main types, but type 1, called Chiari I, is the most common. In someone with Chiari I, the lowest part of the back of the brain extends into the spinal canal.
Normally, the cerebellum and parts of the brain stem sit in an indented space at the lower rear of the skull, above the foramen magnum (a funnel-like opening to the spinal canal). When part of the cerebellum is located below the foramen magnum, it is called a Chiari malformation.
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Risk factors
- Complications
Many people with Chiari malformation have no symptoms and don't need treatment. They learn they have Chiari malformation only when tests are performed for unrelated conditions. But some types of Chiari malfunction can cause symptoms.
The more common types of Chiari malformation are:
•Type 1
•Type 2
Chiari malformation type 1 occurs when part of the skull is too small or is misshapen. This part of the skull contains the area of the brain called the cerebellum. The skull puts pressure on and crowds the brain. As a result, the lower part of the cerebellum known as the tonsils are pushed into the upper spinal canal.
Chiari malformation type 2 is nearly always associated with a form of spina bifida called myelomeningocele.
When the cerebellum is pushed into the upper spinal canal, it can interfere with the usual flow of cerebrospinal fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid can build up in the brain or spinal cord. Or it can cause signals transmitted from the brain to the body to be blocked.
Also, the pressure from the cerebellum on the spinal cord or lower brainstem can cause symptoms.
There's evidence that Chiari malformation runs in some families. However, research into a possible hereditary component is still in its early phase.
In some people, Chiari malformation may have no symptoms and they don't need treatment. In others, Chiari malformation gets worse over time and leads to serious complications. Complications may include:
•Hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus occurs when too much fluid builds up in the brain. This can cause trouble with thinking. People with hydrocephalus may need a flexible tube called a shunt placed. The shunt diverts and drains excess cerebrospinal fluid to a different area of the body.
•Spina bifida. Spina bifida is a condition in which the spinal cord or its covering isn't fully developed. Part of the spinal cord is exposed, which can cause serious conditions such as paralysis. People with Chiari malformation type 2 usually have a form of spina bifida called myelomeningocele.
•Syringomyelia. Some people with Chiari malformation also develop a condition called syringomyelia. In people with this condition, a cavity or cyst called a syrinx forms within the spinal column. As the syrinx grows, it can press on the nerves and cause pain, weakness and stiffness.
A Chiari malformation is a structural abnormality that forces part of your brain to move into your spinal canal. Locations : Abu Dhabi | Canada | Florida | London | Nevada | Ohio |
In neurology, the Chiari malformation (/ kiˈɑːri / kee-AR-ee; CM) is a structural defect in the cerebellum, characterized by a downward displacement of one or both cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum (the opening at the base of the skull).
Jul 19, 2024 · Normally the cerebellum and parts of the brain stem sit above an opening in the skull (called the foramen magnum) where the spinal cord connects to the brain. When part of the cerebellum extends below this opening and into the upper spinal canal, it is called a Chiari malformation.
Apr 15, 2023 · Symptoms include central cord syndrome, impaired sensation, impaired motor control, gait disturbance, torticollis, bowel and/or bladder symptoms, neuropathic joints, trophic phenomena and pain. Various abnormalities of the skull and upper vertebrae are found in 25-50%.
