Question 1

i was just diagnosed with chiari malformation type 1. my herniation is 10mm and all i have is vertigo. will this eventually get worse and kill me?

Accepted Answer

Needs more workup: Although present at birth this is often not detected until the teen years or later. Those with prominent symptoms also have developed a bag like structure called a syrinx within the spinal cord. You should have this explored. People who have symptoms a herniation to this extent often need the base of their skull widened to stop the symptoms. Symptoms are likely to progress.The extent is unknown.

Question 2

i have chiari malformation and we found this on an mri. another mri for the spine and no fluid was blocked. my symptom get worse. do i need surgery?

Accepted Answer

Neurosurgery always : sounds scary. In truth, current minimally invasive techniques have remarkably low risk in the hands of pediatric and adult neurosurgeons. And that's who you need to ask, because the decision is not based on the size, or length, of the Chiari malformation, it's based on symptoms that interfere with a person's daily functioning. Review your MRI's with the neurosurgeon at your  first consult.

Question 3

does the chiari malformation run in families? will my children get it?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain: There are different types of chiari. There have been rare reports of a tendency for this to run in families. It's not common. To prevent the severe forms of chiari malformation and other neural tube defects, it's important for women of child-bearing age to have adequate Folic Acid in their diets even before they conceive! talk to your family doctor or ob-gyn about good "pre-conception" nutrition.

Question 4

recently found through mri that i have a chiari malformation just wondering if this condition always gets progressively worse or if i can live with it?

Accepted Answer

Usually stable: Chiari malformation can be minimal and asymptomatic throughout life, incidentally found on an MRI done for another reason, or it can be significant and require surgery.   It usually remains stable in each individual. 
A well founded discussion can be found here: 
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/detail_chiari.htm#281473087

Question 5

how are mthfr mutations and chiari malformation related? should i get tested if i have chiari? (and high b6 levels, for no good reason)

Accepted Answer

Forgive my frankness: One lab is promoting testing for mthfr mutations despite the fact that they merely identify folks who may be at slightly extra risk for this-and-that and who need to be extra-sure they get enough nutrients. A majority of people carry at least one 'mutant mghfr' and this is generating all kinds of scares. No relatioship to your chiari.

Question 6

if i have an arnold chiari malformation, should i get genetic testing to check for other things?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: If you have other birth defects (chiari can be secondary to spina bifida or be a part of syndromes), then chromosome testing may be indicated. Many chiari malformations occur alone, in which case genetic testing is not necessary. As genome sequencing becomes more rapid and available, genes conferring susceptibility to chiari and other isolated birth defects may become available for testing.

Question 7

i have an arachnoid cyst snd chiari malformation type 1. is there a certain way to sleep or a food to avoid so i don't get the tinitus?

Accepted Answer

None Known: I do not believe there is really a "positional" cure.

Question 8

went for mri last year for tinnitus and found out i have arachnoid cyst and chiari malformation recently have worsening tinnitus blurry vision, why?

Accepted Answer

Blurred vision &amp;, : less commonly, tinnitus,can be symptoms of a Chiari Type I from the cerebellar tonsils' causing pressure on the brainstem &amp;/or spinal cord or blocking flow of CSF. Arachnoid cysts may have no symptoms or may cause pressure on the parts of the brain they overlie, especially if there is an increase in size of the fluid-filled sac. Thorough medical &amp; neurological re-evaluations are warranted.

Question 9

what is chiari malformation type 1?

Accepted Answer

A brain anamoly: A chiari 1 is a malformation where a small part of the brain (the cerebellar tonsils) descends into the spinal canal and compresses the spinal cord/brain stem.  The early symptom are typically headaches. As time proceeds and in more severe descended chiari's, the symptoms can include numbness, weakness, unsteadiness, visual issues, nausea, etc. See physician for an exam and discussion of surgery.

Question 10

how do you treat chiari malformation?

Accepted Answer

Surgery or nothing: These are treated with surgery on the base of the skull and sometimes the dura covering the brain and/or the upper cervical vertebrae.  Each surgery is tailored to the individual depending on their symptoms and severity of the chiari malformation.
The alternative for many chiari malformations is no surgery and no treatment.  Many people require no intervention at all.

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Doctor answers about:

Does chiari malformation get worse

A member asked:

I was just diagnosed with chiari malformation type 1. my herniation is 10mm and all i have is vertigo. will this eventually get worse and kill me?

A member asked:

I have chiari malformation and we found this on an mri. another mri for the spine and no fluid was blocked. my symptom get worse. do i need surgery?

A member asked:

Does the chiari malformation run in families? will my children get it?

A member asked:

Recently found through mri that i have a chiari malformation just wondering if this condition always gets progressively worse or if i can live with it?

A member asked:

How are mthfr mutations and chiari malformation related? should i get tested if i have chiari? (and high b6 levels, for no good reason)

A member asked:

If i have an arnold chiari malformation, should i get genetic testing to check for other things?

A member asked:

I have an arachnoid cyst snd chiari malformation type 1. is there a certain way to sleep or a food to avoid so i don't get the tinitus?

A member asked:

Went for mri last year for tinnitus and found out i have arachnoid cyst and chiari malformation recently have worsening tinnitus blurry vision, why?

A member asked:

What is chiari malformation type 1?

A member asked:

How do you treat chiari malformation?

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