If you have Chiari Malformation can you still live a normal life without surgery?

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I have Type 1 Chiari Malformation, and I was wondering if I don't get surgery for it can I still have a normal life?? Or would I miss out on things??
A lot of people have this without even knowing it, so yeah: it's possible to have a pretty normal life.

But I wonder what symptoms you are exhibiting so that this discovery was made: I think you need to discuss the situation with your doctors: ask them how you can expect the surgery to improve your life, and whether they would reccomend it to a family member in your position.  (+ info)

Can I join the Marine Corps with Chiari Malformation?

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I have been wanting to be a Marine my whole life, and I need to know if I can enter with Chiari Malformation. Please answer.
depends on the stage- 1,2 or 3
if #1 without any symptoms- you should be ok  (+ info)

What is the difference between a person with Chiari Malformation and a normal person?

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I know Chiari is when your brain is basically too big for your head and your fluids can't get through, but what affect does it have on the person? How do people with Chiari act compared to a normal person?
As a person with Chiari Malformation Type 1 (I'm assuming your asking about type 1, since there are 4 types), I can tell you that you are asking a very vague question.

The biggest symptoms of Chiari are; headaches at the back of the head, dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, trouble finding words, balance problems, weakness in arms or legs, numbness in extremities. This is just a few. There are over 100 symptoms of Chiari. Each person with Chiari has their own symptoms. Me, personally, I don't get headaches(which is the most common). But, I do have the dizziness and blurred vision, along with many others.

Hope this helped.  (+ info)

how long to recover after chiari malformation type 2 surgery?

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i have chiari malformation type 2 how long is surgery to reduce sympoms and what are the risks how long does it take to recover?
I am including a link to a med school that specializes in that type of surgery. If you contact those people, they maybe able to give you exact answers to your questions. Please see the link below.  (+ info)

Does anyone know anything about chiari malformation?

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I have to go in for another MRI of my head and neck to see if I have a chiari malformation. I've done some reading online about it, but wondering if anyone knows of a good resource? My neurologist and his assistant are arguing about whether or not this is the cause of my hemipeligic migraines.

thanks to anyone that has any info!
Chiari malformation is a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. Chiari malformation is uncommon, but improved imaging tests have led to more frequent diagnoses.

The adult form, called Chiari malformation type I, develops as the skull and brain are growing. As a result, signs and symptoms may not occur until late childhood or adulthood. The most common pediatric form, called Chiari malformation type II, is present at birth (congenital).

Treatment of Chiari malformation depends on the form, severity and associated symptoms. Regular monitoring, medications and surgery are treatment options. In some cases, no treatment is needed.

In case you need a surgery, get a second opinion first and find an experienced neurosurgeon who performs such procedure on regular basis.

More info:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/chiari-malformation/?mc_id=comlinkpilot&placement=bottom

Mayo clinic's staff is very approachable - do not hesitate to email/contact them if you need a consultation, etc.

Other resources:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/chiari.htm  (+ info)

Living with chiari malformation and no surgery?

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I have been dx with chiari. I do not want surgery. It seems to me that there are many people who still feel terrible after surgery. Does anyone have suggestions on how to live a full and productive life w/o surgery? Any medications I should be trying?
I was just dx with Chiari also. I have to have surgery because my quality of life stinks. There is a site conquerchiari.org it is a good one, but you really have to take the time to look at it to get all the info. If you want email me so we can talk, meds depends on the symptoms you have. Katie  (+ info)

I have a question about my Chiari Malformation?

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I have a question about my Chiari Malformation?
I have tremors from it and this is the second time that I have hard time standing with my tremors. does that mean my Chiari is getting worse. Im going to get thieripy for that to see it if that will help me or not.
As you know, Chiari has multiple neurological symptoms. Balance is definitely an issue, but it doesn't mean your CM is getting worse.

The symptoms can be really bad sometimes even though the malformation is considered small. Also, sometimes a person can be asymptomatic even with a pronounced CM. Everybody is different. Two ppl can have the exact same size & type of CM but present different symptoms.

The only way to tell if your increased balance difficulties are due to a worsening of the malformation is a diagnostic MRI.

Therapy is a good thing to try. Discuss your concerns with your doctor. Perhaps your medications can be adjusted.

[email protected] is a good support forum  (+ info)

What is chiari 1 malformation and multiloculated syrinx?

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I have both and i have surgery on thursday for decompression. Can you please give me a definition for both?
You should talk to your doctor. Part of your doctor's job is to explain your medical conditions and any needed treatment, in a way that you can understand. If you have questions about your medical condition or treatment, you need to ask your doctor.  (+ info)

What does Chiari Malformation show up as on an MRI?

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My doctors found a mass in my head at my skull base three months ago and are still trying to decide what's wrong. I originally went in for sharp shooting pains in the back of my head, and they discovered a mass on my MRI. I now have symptoms such as ringing in my ears, some balance problems, the headaches, dizziness, etc.
Can Chiari Malformation show up as a mass originally?

I'm considering bringing this condition up to my neurologist, but I wanted other opinions first.
Picture of the MRI here: http://www.medfriendly.com/chiarimalformation.html#look


The onset of symptoms referable to a Chiari Malformation is typically subtle and evolve slowly. Consequently, it is not unusual for the condition to be diagnosed after months or years of problems which in retrospect are due to the malformation. The symptoms attributable to the malformation will vary according to the patient's age, the degree of displacement of structures downward, the presence of associated bony anomalies of the spine and the presence of hydromyelia. The most frequent symptom groupings include:

headache, pain at base of skull/upper neck
progressive scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
cerebellar dysfunction (difficulty with balance, coordination, dysequilbrium, low muscle tone)
Compression of the lower brainstem to cause
- alteration of voice
- frequent respiratory tract infections
- coughing when swallowing foods and fluids


Compression of the spinal cord or distention due to accumulating fluid (hydromyelia)
suspended alteration of sensation (e.g., arms are effected but legs not)
central cord disturbance (injury to central part of spinal cord with resultant weakness greater in arms than legs)
spasticity (abnormally high muscle tone or tightness, especially with movement of the muscle)
Combinations of these syndromes occur commonly.
Anomalies of the base of the skull and spine are seen in 30-50% of patients with the Chiari Malformation, Type 1. These anomalies include:

basilar impression (compression of the upper part of the spine into the base of the skull with resultant compression of the brainstem)
atlanto-occipital fusion (bony union of the first level of the spine to the base of the skull)
atlanto-axial assimilation (partial bony union of the first and second levels of the spine)
Klippel-Feil deformity (congenital union or fusion of levels of the spine within the neck with possible associated maldevelopment of levels of the neck's spine)
cervical spina bifida occulta (bony defect in a the posterior part of the spine)
scoliosis - commonly seen when hydromyelia exists (16-80% of patients), especially in children with immature spines.
There may be signs of brain stem dysfunction in some who have a Chiari Malformation (10-47%). This occurs when the displaced tissue of the malformation compresses the lower part of the brain stem. The following problems may develop as a result:

drop attacks (sudden loss of body muscle tone with collapse to floor)
postural and cough headaches (majority of cases)
dull, chronic headache involving back of head or neck
paroxysmal, severe headache associated with a valsalva maneuver (cough headache)
visual disturbances from nystagmus (jerking of eyes when looking to right or left), oscillopsia (vertical bobbing of eyes) or diplopia (double vision)
spasticity (muscle stiffness)
sensorimotor deficits (abnormal body sensation and/or muscle strength)
ataxia (difficulty with balance and coordination)
dysarthria (difficulty talking)
dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

There have been reported cases of children with previously undiagnosed Chiari Malformations sustaining injuries to the spinal cord with no obvious abnormality in the x-rays of their spine. The evaluation of children who have sustained a spinal cord injury should include a MR scan of their spinal cord which includes imaging of the base of the brain to rule out a Chiari Malformation.  (+ info)

Does anybody else have Chiari Malformation or know someone that does?

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Have you had surgery? If so, how has life been since? Do you still have trouble? What symptoms lead the doctors to find it?
I used to work in a Medical Orthopedic office where we dealt with a lot of chronic pain patients. There were a surprising number of patients who had Chiari after we sent them for a scan.
They usually had very stubborn neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and often dizziness.
My mother in law has it too, and she had very persistent numbness and pain in her right arm and leg for many years. She just got operated for it, where they basically enlarged her foramen magnum (the hole the the base of her spine).
She had a seizure after the surgery, and got numbness in both her legs. The effects of that are slowly going away, and now she feels less pain in her left side. Now she has headaches. Sorry I couldn't paint you a more rosy picture, but I think her problems came from her seizure, not the surgery, which seems to have worked well. She also had syringo myelia, an enlargement of the spinal canal, which often comes together with Chiari.
It is a serious surgery, but can work well. Best luck.  (+ info)

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