About Chiari

Whether you are new to Chiari or wondering why you are still experiencing debilitating symptoms after decompression, this is a good place to start.

Worth The Fight (WTF!)

Struggling with intractable pain day in and day out is exhausting. Our doctors are not taught about it and It can be hard for the most well intended loved one to truly understand. Having a support system of people that share your struggle can make all the difference in the world! Join us and get plugged in!

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Pathological Comorbidities

There are several conditions that can push or pull your cerebellar tonsils down past the foramen magnum creating an "Acquired Chiari Malformation" scenario. If doctors checked for these pathological comorbidities before decompression surgery, decompression surgery might have a better success rate.

CSF Leaks

Spinal leaks can pull your cerebellar tonsils downward creating an "Acquired" Chiari Malformation scenario. Sadly, most doctors get so caught up on the size of the herniation that they seldomly check for leaks that rarely show up on MRI imaging.

Tethered Cord

Having a tethered spinal cord can cause a pulling down of the brainstem and cerebellar tonsils associated with an "Acquired" Chiari Malformation scenario. When decompression surgery creates a larger hole at the base of the skull, it does nothing to solve the pulling down problem created by the tethered cord, and the decompression fails.

Craniocervical Instabiity

Craniocervical Instability is a problem in the way that the skull and C1 are interacting with one another. When this problem exists, it can cause the tonsils to prolapse creating an "Acquired" Chiari Malformation scenario. Failure to deal with this problem before or soon after decompression surgery can lead to a failed decompression.

Intracranial Hypertension

A Chiari Malformation has been recognized as one of the causes of Intracranial Hypertension (IH/IIH), but research has now shown that it can also cause the cerebellar tonsils to fall, creating an "Acquired" Chiari Malformation scenario. Despite recent research, many doctors continue to decompress as a means of relieving the increased pressure, and the decompression fail because the underlying cause failed to be addressed.

Syringomyelia

When a doctor talks about the “most serious” complications surrounding Chiari Malformation, they usually speak of paralysis or death. While both of these are far less common than the array of other symptoms and complications, they both can involve that of a syrinx.

About Chiari

Worth The Fight (WTF!)

Pathological Comorbidities

CSF Leaks

Tethered Cord

Craniocervical Instabiity

Intracranial Hypertension

Syringomyelia

By: Michelle C.

Pathological Comorbidities - Conditions That Can Cause/Attribute to an Acquired Chiari Malformation

Intracranial HYPERtension (IH/IIH)

By: Michelle C.

Spinal Leaks and Intracranial HYPOtension (SIH)

By: Argent

Tethered Cord (TCS/OTC)

By: Michelle C.

Having a tethered spinal cord can cause a pulling down of the brainstem and cerebellar tonsils associated with an "Acquired" Chiari Malformation scenario. [Read More]

Craniocervical Instability and Related Disorders (CCI, AAI, BI...)

By: Cheryl I.

By: Michelle C.

Secondary Comorbidities

As mentioned, Chiari can be congenital, or it can be secondary to other conditions that we call "pathological comorbidities." However, Chiari can also cause other secondary conditions that are also considered comorbidities. Therefore, it is important to ask, is this pathological to Chiari or of Chiari. [Read More]

Syringomyelia and Syringobulbia

By: Michelle C.

The word syrinx (seer-inks), plural syringes (seer-en-geez), means cavity or cyst. Syringomyelia (seer-ingo-my-el-lee-uh) is when the cyst forms in the spinal cord (myelo usually refers to the spinal cord). [Read More]

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Disclaimer: The information provided on our website is strictly for educational purposes in order to help further the understanding of Chiari and its associated conditions. You should in no way use this site as a replacement for diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice from a qualified medical professional.