Chiari Malformation |Diagnosis & Treatments
How is Chiari malformation diagnosed?
The doctor will examine your child and ask about his or her symptoms and medical history. To help diagnose Chiari malformation, your child’s doctor may also use one or more of the following tests:
How is Chiari malformation treated?
Many children with type I Chiari malformation do not need treatment. If your child has no symptoms, your doctor will likely recommend watching the condition with exams and MRIs.
If your child has symptoms, they will likely need surgery to relieve pressure on the brain and spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of spinal fluid in the area. The type of surgery your child’s doctor recommends will depend on the type of Chiari malformation your child has and his or her age and symptoms.
What is brain decompression surgery?
The most common surgery for Chiari malformation is posterior fossa decompression. During this surgery, the surgeon removes a bit of bone from the lowest part of your child's skull. This helps relieve pressure and reduces symptoms. The surgeon may also use an electrical current to shrink some of the tissue.
Are there other types of surgery for Chiari malformation?
II型患儿畸形可能需要surgery to close the opening in the back of the skull and to move the position of the spinal cord.
If your child has other conditions related to the Chiari malformation, such ashydrocephalus(fluid in the brain), he or she may need a different type of surgery or a shunt (a thin tube) to drain extra fluid out of the brain.
What is the long-term outlook for Chiari malformation?
In most cases, the surgery relieves symptoms completely or reduces symptoms. In some cases, children with Chiari malformation may need more than one surgery.