Chiari Malformation is, “a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal”. There are as many as 200,000 diagnoses each year in the United States (Clinic). With this, there is a wide range of people who are affected by this disorder varying from ages, gender, and nationality. Many of those diagnosed, result in surgery for treatment to get rid of the symptoms. Chiari is a horrible condition that affects many and is known to impact lives in various ways.
Chiari Malformation is a disorder that occurs in many people. People with Chiari most often have symptoms. These symptoms include dizziness, muscle weakness, numbness, vision problems, headaches, and problems with coordination and balance (Arnold Chiari Malformation …show more content…
“In the past, it was estimated that the condition occurs in about one in every 1,000 births”. But recently studies have shown that Chiari could be much more common People with Chiari might also have hereditary syndromes affecting one in ways such as neurological and skeletal abnormalities. These maybe disorders affecting bone growth and formation, extra folds in the brain, and possibly fusions in segments in the bone of one’s neck. (Clinical Trials)“There are a wide variety of conditions that can be considered in the differential diagnosis of a Chiari Malformation”(Chiari Malformations - NORD (national Organization for Rare Disorders)).Chiari may be associated with Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida, Syringomyelia / Hydromyelia, Tethered Cord Syndrome, or spinal curvature (Clinical Trials). Most kids with Type II Chiari often have Hydrocephalus (“Arnold Chiari Malformation: Symptoms, Types, and Treatments”). Chiari impacts lives from every race and nationality. Although these malformations are more widespread of those with a Celtic descent. Chiari is also found more often in women than in men. (Clinical …show more content…
This surgery includes making an incision in the lower part of one’s head and removing or shaving a portion of the patient’s skull and sometimes part of their vertebra to correct the irregular bony structure. The vertebra may also be taken out to create more space (Chiari Malformations - NORD (national Organization for Rare Diseases)). The surgeon may also make a slit in the covering of the brain called the dura to review the brain and spinal cord. Surgeons may also use electrocautery, which uses high-frequency electrical currents to destroy tissue and shrink the cerebellar tonsils. “Similarly, surgeons may open the spinal cord and insert a shunt to drain a syringomyelia or hydromyelia. A small tube or catheter may be inserted into the shrinx for continued drainage (Clinical