Question 1

could a pituitary macroadenoma or mild chiari 1 malformation cause headaches in the temples when bending, laughing or straining?

Accepted Answer

Headaches: Yes both conditions can give you headaches. I see chiari malformation more likely to give you that type of headache as you described.

Question 2

what to do if i have been diagnosed with a 5mm chiari one malformation - is this thing serious?

Accepted Answer

Chiari malformation: A 5mm herniation in a chiari is borderline from a radiological point of view, what is more important is are you have symptoms from the chiari that would it more likely you would need surgery.  A consultation with a neurosurgeon would likely be the best option if you want to find out more.

Question 3

what is arnold chiari malformation type one?

Accepted Answer

Brain abnormality : This is an abnormality that is usually congenital. The back lowest compartment in the skull is slightly inadequate in size to contain the brain. The back bottom part of the cerebellum called the cerebellar tonsils protrude through the skull opening that the spinal cord passes through. This can cause pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord which can cause symptoms.

Question 4

i have chiari malformation type one, do you know what it is?

Accepted Answer

Arnold Chiari: It is a term used by radiologists to denote herniation of the brain through the foramen magnum at bottom of skull.

Question 5

i have chiari malformation. some of my scans read 5 mm. two read 3 mm. one reads 2mm on one side and 4 mm on the other side. what causes such different readings?

Accepted Answer

: Different machines used to scan?  Time of day?  different times in eating and scan?  Differrent angles when you were on table. Difference technique?  Discuss with the team that did them.

Question 6

can a chiari malformation type one be picked up in an amniocentesis test?

Accepted Answer

No: Chiari malformation is associated with many conditions, some of which have abnormal chromosomes that would show up by amniocentesis. The malformation itself can be seen by fetal ultrasound but not usually at 16-18 weeks when visualization of fetal anomalies might prompt recommendation for amniocentesis.

Question 7

i have chiari malformation and one of my pupils is slightly larger than the other.  is that a typical symptom?

Accepted Answer

No: This is not a typical symptom of chiari malformation. It is normal to have one pupil very slightly larger than the other. This is called physiologic anisocoria.

Question 8

can chiari malformation cause swelling to one side of face and tung and sholder im haveing pain on my left side of my face and tung and my left sholder is to

Accepted Answer

Chiari : Chiari malformation comes in 4 different types so it depends upon the type.  Here is a description of the types:

type i involves the extension of the cerebellar tonsils (the lower part of the cerebellum) into the foramen magnum, without involving the brain stem. Normally, only the spinal cord passes through this opening. Type i â€“ which may not cause symptoms â€“ is the most common form of cm and is usually first noticed in adolescence or adulthood, often by accident during an examination for another condition. Type i is the only type of cm that can be acquired.

Type ii, also called classic cm, involves the extension of both cerebellar and brain stem tissue into the foramen magnum.  Also, the cerebellar vermis (the nerve tissue that connects the two halves of the cerebellum) may be only partially complete or absent.  Type ii is usually accompanied by a myelomeningocele â€“ a form of spina bifida that occurs when the spinal canal and backbone do not close before birth, causing the spinal cord and its protective membrane to protrude through a sac-like opening in the back.  A myelomeningocele usually results in partial or complete paralysis of the area below the spinal opening.  The term arnold-chiari malformation (named after two pioneering researchers) is specific to type ii malformations.

Type iii is the most serious form of cm.  The cerebellum and brain stem protrude, or herniate, through the foramen magnum and into the spinal cord.  Part of the brainâ€™s fourth ventricle, a cavity that connects with the upper parts of the brain and circulates csf, may also protrude through the hole and into the spinal cord.  In rare instances, the herniated cerebellar tissue can enter an occipital encephalocele, a pouch-like structure that protrudes out of the back of the head or the neck and contains brain matter.   The covering of the brain or spinal cord can also protrude through an abnormal opening in the back or skull.  Type iii causes severe neurological defects.

Type IV involves an incomplete or underdeveloped cerebellum â€“ a condition known as cerebellar hypoplasia.  In this rare form of cm, the cerebellar tonsils are located in a normal position, but parts of the cerebellum are missing, and portions of the skull and spinal cord may be visible.

In general, the symptoms of chiari malformation include: neck pain, balance problems, muscle weakness, numbness or other abnormal feelings in the arms or legs, dizziness, vision problems, difficulty swallowing, ringing or buzzing in the ears, hearing loss, vomiting, insomnia, depression, or headache made worse by coughing or straining. Hand coordination and fine motor skills may be affected. Symptoms may change for some individuals, depending on the buildup of CSF and resulting pressure on the tissues and nerves. Persons with a type 1 cm may not have symptoms.  Adolescents and adults who have cm but no symptoms initially may, later in life, develop signs of the disorder.

So as you can see unilateral facial, tongue, and shoulder swelling would be unusual and hence requires further investigation.  I hope this information is helpful.

Question 9

is arnold chiari malformation type one a neural tube defect?

Accepted Answer

No: The more accepted term is chiari malformation as arnold-chiari is an older term.  This type of malformation is not a neural tube defect, but rather an abnormal migration of the cerebellar tonsils below the level of the foramen magnum (chiari type 1).  This defect is attributed to a congenitally small posterior fossa, thus allowing the cerebellar tonsils to migrate downward.

Question 10

i have an arachnoid cyst and a chiari 1 malformation.  how will a neurosurgeon know which one is causing my tinitus, dizziness, and nausea?

Accepted Answer

Working diagnosis: It depends on the location of the cyst, the extent of the chiari malformation on mri, what other symptoms you might have (difficulty swallowing, arm/legs symptoms, reflex changes). You might need an evaluation by an ear-nose-throat surgeon to see if there is a problem with the hearing and balance nerves. It becomes about choosing the most likely explanation after all the info are available.

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Doctor answers about:

Mild chiari 1 malformation

A member asked:

Could a pituitary macroadenoma or mild chiari 1 malformation cause headaches in the temples when bending, laughing or straining?

A member asked:

What to do if i have been diagnosed with a 5mm chiari one malformation - is this thing serious?

A member asked:

What is arnold chiari malformation type one?

A member asked:

I have chiari malformation type one, do you know what it is?

A member asked:

I have chiari malformation. some of my scans read 5 mm. two read 3 mm. one reads 2mm on one side and 4 mm on the other side. what causes such different readings?

A member asked:

Can a chiari malformation type one be picked up in an amniocentesis test?

A member asked:

I have chiari malformation and one of my pupils is slightly larger than the other. is that a typical symptom?

A member asked:

Can chiari malformation cause swelling to one side of face and tung and sholder im haveing pain on my left side of my face and tung and my left sholder is to

A member asked:

Is arnold chiari malformation type one a neural tube defect?

A member asked:

I have an arachnoid cyst and a chiari 1 malformation. how will a neurosurgeon know which one is causing my tinitus, dizziness, and nausea?

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