|
A 43 year-old woman presented with neck pain and stiffness. |
| Chiari Malformation Type I:
(Left) T2-weighted sagittal MRI; (Right) T2-weighted axial MRI. Note
that in Chiari malformation type I the brainstem and cerebellar
tonsils descend below the foramen magnum. In this case, the
cerebellar tonsils and caudal brainstem descended 17 mm below the foramen
magnum. This malformation is know as a Chiari malformation, type I. There are several types of Chiari malformations. In Type I, the malformation is limited to descent of the cerebellar tonsils and medulla into the spinal canal. This malformation is often asymptomatic. Some cases are associated with syringomyelia and/or syringobulbia. When symptomatic, patients typically develop posterior headaches and dizziness. In more severe cases, patients may develop vertical nystagmus and other cranial nerve abnormalities. |
Revised
11/29/06
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston