Would Arnold-Chiari malformation be found in an MRI of the head or through blood tests?

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Last year I had an MRI of my brain because I have been dizzy and have had ringing in my ears and headaches and all sorts of symptoms and I had no idea what was going on, so i went to the doctor and he checked me out and made me get an MRI and nothing came up... but i just researched chiari and have all the symptoms and i am just wondering if the doctor would have caught it (if i have it) by looking at my MRI results and blood tests even if he wasnt looking for it...

what do you think?

im pretty scared. i dont have health insurance anymore :[
MRI of the brain should definitely show a Chiari malformation. The base of the skull and the top of the spinal column should always be seen on the sagital views and this is where the diagnosis would be made.  (+ info)

Anyone with Arnold Chiari Malformation?

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My sister has been told she has ACM and they can not operate to far advanced. My Doctor has told me also that is a 99% I to have it. My sister and myself want to know what will happen when the time is near. Can anyone Help
i was diagnosed with ACM type one back in 2001 if you want anyone to talk to email me...what are your sisters symptoms? and you should consider having an MRI to check and see if you have it.  (+ info)

Got Chiari? (Arnold chiari malformation) Or know someone with it?

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I have Arnold Chiari Malformation...  (+ info)

My son has growth problems and diagnosed with chiari malformation type1, can this two things can be related?

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His arnold chiari malformation is type 1 with cerebellar tonsils extending 2.4cm below the foramen magnum. He is having shots of growth hormone and lupron pediatric to stop his purberty. He is taking these two medicines for almost a month. He is 12 years and from his Chiari Malformation he dosen't have any symtoms. This condition( Chiari Malformation Type1) was found incidentaly because he had a MRI to rule out pituitary anomalies before he can start the ght. I have doubts is he needs the Chiari surgery because he is asymtomtic but in the other hand he has 2.4cm below his foramen magnum and this is too much.
My son is 30 months and also has chiari 1 and pseudotumor cerebri ( high intracranial pressure ), he has a LP shunt placed for the pseudotumor. He's had symptoms ( eyes crossing, problems walking, sensory issues , etc ) since 18 months and has been decompressed for his chiari. He is very reluctant to gain weight and has been consistently been on the very low end (8% or lower) for weight percentile for his age. Neurosurgeons ( in Chicago and Iowa area ) have not been able to shed any light on his lack of weight gain.

As a parent of 2 children with chiari as well as my wife and mother-in-law, there is just not enough research on this subject to know for sure what other effects this brain malformation may have. We have joined with a genetic study out of Duke University in North Carolina to help shed additional light on the genetics of this condition. We feel that the high pressure and disrupted CSF flow as well as the abnormal structure of the tonsils and foramen magnum may put pressure on other areas of the brain ( ie - the pituitary ) creating additional problems, but no doctors have confirmed this.  (+ info)

My hands are blue and tingly? Chiari malformation or Alcohol?

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Yesterday after a long day I had orang juice and vodka. The next morning i had a blue patch on my hand. Today my fingers are blue and slightly tingly. Can this circulatory be possibly related to drinking too much ??

I was also just recently diagnosed with arnold chiari... so hopefully it isnt another symptom.
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What do you know about arnold chiari..... and a surgery called a cervical laminectomy?

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My friend has to get this serious surgery, and I am trying to understand what is involved... Anybody know?
Arnold Chiari is the name of a malformation of the brain. Please don't worry about this. The only people that even know what it consists of would be the neurologist's and neurosurgeons involved with your friend's case. A cervical laminectomy refers to a procedure that's done on the cervical area (neck and upper back) of the spine. This is done for many different reasons and everyone's case is different too. Please refer any questions to your friend or the family. Since this is done for reasons from monitoring to accident repair it would be too hard to even venture a guess. You can refer to cervical laminectomy at webmd.com and search it. When the links come up maybe you'll see one that might refer to something your friend said. Good luck and God Bless  (+ info)

how do I research if there is a link between Chiari Malformation and Scoliosis?

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My friend has a 10 month old child that has been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation by one doctor, and another specialist has found that the child has 46% curvature of the spine. Where would i begin to research if there would be a link between the two? Any help would be appreciated, this child is due for brain surgery and two weeks followed by a full body cast two weeks after that. Thanks in advance!
try googling it and see what comes up
i recommend gooole, google articles, google scholar, and wikipedia  (+ info)

What Should I pack For My Chiari Malformation Surgery That Is Coming Up?

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Hey. well im 14 and getting Chiari Malformation Surgery this Wednesday (the 21st) and Im not too sure what I should pack. They said I should be in the hospital 3 to 5 days. If you could please answer this ASAP. that would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely
becca
he recommended treatment for an Arnold-Chiari I malformation is surgery to relieve the pressure on the cerebellar area. During the surgery, the surgeon removes a small part of the bone at the base of skull. This enlarges and decompresses the posterior fossa. This opening is patched with a piece of natural tissue. In some people with Arnold-Chiari malformation, displaced brain tissue affects the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Doctors may evaluate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid during surgery for Arnold-Chiari malformation. If they find that brain tissue is blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, they will shrink the brain tissue during surgery. long-term prognosis for persons with Arnold-Chiari I malformations is excellent. Full recovery from surgery may take several months. During that time, patients may continue to experience some of the symptoms associated with Arnold-Chiari malformations.

Prognosis for Arnold-Chiari II malformations depends on the severity of the myelomeningocele and will be equivalent to that of spina bifida.

ndividuals who are recovering from surgery to repair an Arnold-Chiari malformation may require physical and/or occupational therapy as they try to regain strength and fine motor control in their arms and hands. A speech therapist may be helpful in improving both speech and swallowing.

a lap to watch movies and i pod and bible  (+ info)

Does someone with chiari malformation have a normal lifespan?

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My child was diagnosed with 2 mm chiari malformation 1. Experienced headaches for years, but the headaches went away. My child also has epilepsy.
Yes. However it may need to be operated on. I am 25 and went under surgery for my Chiari last year when I was 23. I had started to devlop headaches and constant pressure when I was about 15. It would come and go and then when I was 21 the pain started to be there when I woke up. I even started to loose my balance and fall down all the time. I was constantly droping things. I was clumsy, like it was a hobby of mine!!! Anywho, I started gaining weight and becoming more and more fatigued and tired and EVERYTH*ING hurt so bad on my head and would cause an enormous amount of pressure and pain. FINALLY they figured it out. I had the surgery in Jan 2006. I started to feel perfect around Christmas and even lost all my weight I had gain. Now the symptoms are coming back. So I may need to go in again. I am very very concerned. However I know it can be monitored and taken care of and I will live a normal life!!!

I will keep your child in my prayers and everything iwll be ok!

Best of luck and BUG HUGS from NC for your worries!!  (+ info)

Is a tonsillar herniation the same as the chiari malformation?

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My mother was diagnosed with tonsillar herniation after having reported vertigo and having undergone some studies. Some websites report dire outcomes for tonsillar herniation patients (death and brain death) but much more optimistic outcomes for people with the chiari malformation. Until now the vertigo has been the only symptom and my mother only feels it when she is already lying down, trying to sleep, and she bends over in any way. Should we be concerned about an imminent death threat or is there a chance it could be a case of the chiari malformation. The herniation is supposed to have a growth of 7 mm, but the symptoms remain the same and it has not been possible to see a neurosurgeon to determine the seriousness of my mother's case.
They are kind of the same in some instances.

Tonsillar herniation or Foramen magnum herniation occurs when the infratentorial brain is displaced through the foramen magnum secondary to mass effect. It can result in sudden death. Usually people present acutely with severe symptoms.

Chiari malformation (there are four types) is a birth defect that specifically dispalces the tonsils through the foramen magnum. It may not show up (symptomatically) until adolescence or adulthood. There are other defects that may also be associated with this defect as well. How long has your mom had symptoms?

You mention studies, does that include an MRI or a CT scan? Those are the two main options for diagnostic studies. Surgical intervention may or may not be recommended. Seeing a doctor is still the best thing to do if possible. The cause of the tonsillar herniation needs to be treated. Once nerve damage is done, it is not usually reversible. If vertigo is the only symptom so far, it seems like treatment sooner rather than later would be preferable, before more symptoms present, indicating possible worsening of the problem. There is not a direct correlation between symptoms and severity of herniation though. So it could be getting worse and no symptoms would be noticed. Until severe complications occured including death.

You also said "the herniation is supposed to have a growth of 7mm" does that mean there is a tumor causing the displacement, or is that how far the tonsils were seen to be going through. I would try to see a doc ASAP.  (+ info)

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