All about Chiari

This section is all about Chiari.
Arnold- Chiari Malformation or ACM is a congenital malformation, which means a person can be born with it. It is a serious condition which debilitates the body in such a way that it can eventually lead to death.ACM was first discovered in the 1890's by a German Pathologist named Professor Hans Chiari, And his colleague Dr Julius Arnold. Together they Categorized the disease into four different categories by order of severity with IV or 4 being the most advanced. The symptoms of ACM do not always appear at birth or in early childhood. Sometimes adults show signs of a neurological disorder but the ACM will go undiagnosed. Therefore many people do not know they have this disease until it is in its latter stages. The surgeries and day to day struggles often leave ACM patients and their families devastated, both physically and financially.

there is a compartment in the back of the skull that holds the Cerebellar Tonsils that extend to the bottom of the Skull. These tonsils are normally round but in a case of ACM they become elongated and then protrude down the Spinal Canal and can become herniated. This blocks the flow of Spinal Fluid to the brain, the Cranial Nerves, and the Brain stem, resulting in the lower portion of the brain becoming compressed or in some cases crushed. This in turn affects brain function in certain areas of the brain. Usually once this has happened the disease is in it's advanced stages.

Type I goes unnoticed until certain neurological problems arise in the person's teens and twenties. The base of the skull and upper area of the spine at this time are not forming properly. Type II is the most common type of ACM. In this type the back of the brain literally shifts down through the bottom of the skull. Infants who are born with Hydrocephalus can also be associated with ACM. Hydrocephalus is a birth defect where there is an overproduction of cerebral spinal fluid inside of the brain, fluid increases and can cause death if untreated, a shunt is typically placed in the brain and drained throughout the body. Type III is a little more advanced than type II, the back of the brain actually protrudes out of an opening near the back of the human skull. Type IV is where the entire back of the brain does not develop normally at all, resulting in severe mental dysfunction.

Typically, symptoms do not arise until people are in their teens or early adult years. In very small infants, slow movements and difficulty in swallowing are the onset of symptoms. Most patients complain of dizziness, vertigo or a spinning sensation, severe head and neck pain, headaches that are made worse by coughing or sneezing, muscle weakness and balance problems. Vision and hearing problems can also occur in severe cases. Difficulty swallowing is also a stage four advancement into the disease and can only be relieved by surgery.

Some form of surgery is typically the only option for patients who want to help relieve their symptoms. Relieving the pressure on the brain will most likely result in successful but temporary treatment, although surgery is very risky.

--Written by Julie
Freelance writer and winemaker who enjoys writing on a wide range of topics and genres. Julie enjoys research and uncovering new and fresh ideas in which to share with her reading audience

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