Syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation.
An 18-year-old man with progressive paraparesis, thermal hypoesthesia, sweating abnormalities, bladder dysfunction, severe orthostatic hypotension, bilateral Babinski sign, underwent a brain MRI scan that showed downward displacement of cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum, consistent with Chiari I malformation, compression of the brainstem-spinal cord junction, and C1-D11 syringomyelia (6.5 mm diameter at C2 level) consistent with Chiari I syndrome. Suboccipital craniectomy and duraplasty were performed. A C2 partial laminectomy and ablation of posterior arch of the atlas was performed. MRI scans 4 days and 1 month after surgery showed a dramatic syringomyelia reabsorption (2.5 and 1 mm, respectively) associated with complete clinical recovery.
Lucchetta
Marta
M
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Cagnin
Annachiara
A
Calderone
Milena
M
Manara
Renzo
R
Rotilio
Antonino
A
Briani
Chiara
C
D000293:Adolescent; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome