Chiari Lifeline: Surgical Procedures for Chiari (by TCI)

"Welcome To Chiari Lifeline."

Chiari Malformation is a serious neurological disorder where the cerebellum, the bottom part of the brain, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine. There are over 100 reported symptoms that are caused from CM. Those most common include; severe headaches, fatigue, general imbalance, memory problems, visual disturbances, dizziness, just to name a few.

CM affects about 1 in 1,000 people and this number continues to grow. Still many are left suffering and go years without a proper diagnosis as many doctors are yet unfamiliar with this condition.

If you or a loved one is affected by Chiari please visit the links provided below. Together, we can make a difference!

September 28, 2008

Surgical Procedures for Chiari (by TCI)

"Surgical Procedures:

Posterior Fossa Decompression: A posterior fossa decompression is the removal of the bone from the back of the posterior fossa, called the sub-occipital bone.
- The surgeons at the Chiari Institute are the first surgeons to use color Doppler as a guide
during decompressions.
- The purpose of a posterior fossa decompression is to restore normal circulation of CFS.

Shunt: A shunt is a tube which drains spinal fluid from one space to another body cavity.

Lumbar Puncture: A lumbar puncture or "LP" is a procedure whereby spinal fluid is removed from the spinal canal for the purpose of diagnostic testing. This is also known as spinal tap.

Cranioplasty: The operative repair of a defect of the skull.

Craniocervical Fusion: Craniocervical fusion is performed for spinal instability. The fusion usually involves several adjacent vertebrae and may include fusing the upper cervical spine."

(The surgeon at TCI suggested that Craniocervical Fusion may be an option for me due to my spinal instability. He did state though however, that I would not be able to turn my head again. Some readers have stated that the have "some" movement since the surgery, but it is very limited. You may want to keep this in mind when making a decision in regards to CF surgery.)