title: Chiari I malformation in asymptomatic young children with Williams syndrome: clinical and MRI study.
abstract: We report clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in two young children, aged 2 years 4 months and 3 years, with Williams syndrome. Both showed a mild global delay, although their neurological examination was completely normal. Their magnetic resonance imaging, however, showed Chiari I malformation and some non-specific changes in the centrum semiovale and in the white matter posterior to the lateral ventricles. Cerebellar tonsils were displaced through the foramen magnum 8.5 and 7.5 mm respectively. Our results suggest that Chiari I malformation can also be a frequent feature in subjects with Williams syndrome even in the absence of overt neurological signs suggestive of it. Whether these children might develop acute signs later is not known at present. Further studies are needed not only to evaluate the incidence of these findings in the global population of subjects with Williams syndrome but also to identify the children who are at risk for developing acute neurological signs.
authors.affiliation: Visual Development Unit, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mercuri
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Braddick
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rutherford
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cowan
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Counsell
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dubowitz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bydder
mesh_terms: D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018980:Williams Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*