Providing timely diagnosis & expert care for those with Chiari malformation
The varied symptoms of Chiari malformation often lead patients from one doctor to another in search of answers. In fact, the average person with Chiari will suffer symptoms for three to seven years before a correct diagnosis is made.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
“Patients come to us in search of someone who will listen," says John M. Tew, Jr., MD. “Often they have sought help from multiple doctors, trying to find someone who will understand their problem and help them find a solution."
Some patients have been told they have migraines or fibromyalgia. Some have been told their discomfort is "all in their head."
Chiari is a condition in which the lower part of the brain, called the cerebellar tonsil, herniates through the skull and down into the spinal canal. The herniated tissue compresses the brainstem and blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Symptoms are highly variable, and no two patients are alike.
Why is Chiari often misdiagnosed? The wide array of symptoms mimic other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, migraine, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It takes a specialist to put the pieces together.
Why is Chiari often untreated? The traditional definition of Chiari – a herniation that extends 5 mm below the forament magnum – is outdated. We now understand that blockage of cerebrospinal fluid is the culprit, regardless of the size of herniation. The best diagnostics include a Cine MRI and a careful assessment of the patient's symptoms. |
For more in-depth information please visit our site specifically dedicated to Chiari: MayfieldChiariCenter.com
Most common Chiari I symptoms
headache in the back of the head that worsens
with coughing, sneezing, or straining
dizziness and balance problems
neck and shoulder pain
difficulty swallowing
sleep apnea / fatigue
numbness & tingling in hands
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