Friday, October 21, 2011

What is Chiari Malformation?

Chiari malformation (kee-AHR-ee mal-for-MAY-shun) 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, (Mayo Clinic.com).

Some of the symptoms you could experience with having Chiari are:

  • Neck pain (running down the shoulders at times)
  • Unsteady gait (problems with balance)
  • Poor hand coordination (fine motor skills)
  • Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty swallowing (sometimes accompanied by gagging, choking and vomiting)
  • Vision problems (blurred or double vision)
  • Slurred speech
Less often, people with Chiari malformation may experience:
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Poor bladder control
  • Chest pain, in a band-like pattern around the chest
  • Curvature of the spine (scoliosis) related to spinal cord impairment
  • Abnormal breathing — specifically, sleep apnea, characterized by periods of breathing cessation during sleep
Did you know there are different levels of Chiari, called Types?
  • Type I (adult)
  • Type II (pediatric)
  • Type III
  • Type IV
 I found this information at (Mayo Clinic.com).
I hope this helps at least a little bit...

Have a wonderful, and pain free day!
Posted by lucky317 at 12:03 PM

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousOctober 21, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    I know this is not a well known, or talked about issue. I find it funny that they have had this problem on House and a Gifted Man, and even Greys anatomy.. I think awareness is something the world needs. As they say people are born with it, but they dont know until symptoms show and a dr. does an MRI. many patients have been misdiagnosed with other problems when they actually have Chiari. Since the symptoms are different for every patient, its hard to say I guess, but with awareness and simple MRI testing many lives can be improved.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)