Craniocervical spinal instability after type 1 Arnold Chiari decompression: a case report.
To present and describe an unusual case of spinal instability after craniocervical spinal decompression for a type-1 Chiari malformation. Type-1 Chiari malformation is a craniocervical disorder characterized by tonsillar displacement greater than 5 mm into the vertebral canal; posterior fossa decompression is the most common surgical treatment for this condition. Postoperative complications have been described: cerebrospinal fluid leak, pseudomeningocele, aseptic meningitis, wound infection, and neurological deficit. However, instability after decompression is unusual. A 9-year-old female presented with symptomatic torticollis after cervical decompression for a type-1 Chiari malformation. Spinal instability was diagnosed; craniocervical stabilization was performed. After a 12-month follow-up, spinal stability was achieved, with a satisfactory clinical neck alignment. We present a craniocervical instability secondary to surgical decompression; clinical and radiological symptoms, and definitive treatment were described.
Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Orthopaedics Institute 'Prof Dr Carlos E Ottolenghi', Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Gaston O
GO
Camino Willhuber
Santiago T
ST
Bosio
Miguel H
MH
Puigdevall
Carolina
C
Halliburton
Carlos A
CA
Sola
Ruben A
RA
Maenza
D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000209:etiology*