Cessation of chronic hypertension after posterior fossa decompression in a child with Chiari I malformation. Case report.
The authors report on the case of a patient evaluated for Valsalva maneuver-induced headache, dizziness, and ataxia. Neuroimaging revealed a Chiari I malformation without syringomyelia. A history of idiopathic hypertension was noted. After posterior fossa decompression, pathologically elevated blood pressure was absent, and at 24-month follow-up evaluation the patient remained normotensive. Although seemingly rare, this case illustrates that some patients with tonsillar ectopia may exhibit elevated blood pressure. Clinicians should consider hindbrain herniation a rare cause in idiopathic hypertension.
Tubbs
R Shane
RS
Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. richard.tubbs@ccc.uab.edu
Wellons
John C
JC
Blount
Jeffrey P
JP
Oakes
W Jerry
WJ
Grabb
Paul A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis