title: Delayed resolution of Chiari I-associated hydromyelia after posterior fossa decompression: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The expected time interval for resolution of hydromyelia after Chiari I decompression is lacking in the literature. This case report highlights one instance of delayed resolution of Chiari-induced hydromyelia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report an adolescent girl with a Chiari I malformation and hydromyelia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy with intradural exploration and duraplasty were performed. Serial imaging at 1 and 2 years after posterior cranial fossa decompression with duraplasty demonstrated no change in the size of the hydromyelia. At 3 years after surgery and before reoperation for continued hydromyelia, repeat magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated significant diminution of the fluid cavity. If this hydromyelia did resolve as a result of surgery, the interval for radiological observation clearly needs to be reconsidered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unfortunately, this is an area in which the literature is lacking. With this case as a nidus, studies are now necessary to determine the range of time necessary for Chiari I malformation-related hydromyelia to resolve.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Doughty
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: W Jerry
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Oakes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications*; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012086:Reoperation; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome