A case of Arnold-Chiari syndrome with flaccid paralysis and huge syringomyelia.
METHODS
A case report.


METHODS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan.


METHODS
A 13-year-old woman presented progressive weakness in the lower extremities, with predominance on the right. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a huge syrinx. The patient also showed scoliosis, cleft palate, hearing impairment, excessive sweating, hairiness, dural ectasia, and malformation of the skull. METHOD AND OBJECTIVES: We treated a very rare case of Arnold-Chiari syndrome, which presented with flaccid paralysis. Methods of differential diagnosis and suitable treatment are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the syrinx and muscle strength were quickly improved following placement of a syringo-peritoneal (S-P) shunt, after which the patient recovered the ability to walk. However, transient hypesthesia in the right hand occurred after the operation. The syrinx around the conus was thought to play a crucial role in the etiology of the patient case, which showed unique symptoms.
Mimura
T
T
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa-cho, Seta, Otsu, Shiga, Japan.
Asajima
S
S
Saruhashi
Y
Y
Matsusue
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000601:surgery; D010243:Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome