Chiari I malformation with syrinx: an unexpected diagnosis in the emergency department

Abstract

The authors describe a case of syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation in a patient in whom acute symptomatic exacerbation occurred after cervical spine trauma. The authors review the various factors in the pathogenesis of this unusual sequence of events.

A case-control study of cerebellar tonsillar ectopia (Chiari) and head/neck trauma (whiplash)

“…Wan et al [9] described a symptomatic 'conversion' of previously asymptomatic Chiari Type I following minor head and neck trauma. Other authors have described the discovery of symptomatic Chiari Type I following motor vehicle crashes and what is typically described as 'whiplash' trauma [10,11], in which the injury mechanism is a result of inertial loading of the spine and skull [12].…”

Shunt malfunction causing acute neurological deterioration in 2 patients with previously asymptomatic Chiari malformation Type I

“…Other authors have reported tonsillar descent and neurological deterioration in patients with asymptomatic CM-I after traumatic brain injury and minor traumas. 6,13,33,46,58,61 Lee et al 31 reported on a patient with acquired CM-I and an associated syrinx secondary to obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a giant craniopharyngioma. The CM-I resolved with resection of the tumor.…”

“…40,57 The authors of numerous reports have demonstrated, however, that acute neurological deterioration can occur in patients with CM-I and acquired Chiari malformations. 2,3,10,11,13,14,29,31,33,43,[46][47][48][49]58,59,61 Milhorat et al 35 also reported on a case of acute myelopathy secondary to VP shunt malfunction and the onset of acute syringomyelia.…”