Chiari 1 Malformation

If you are experiencing the following symptoms then you may in fact have Chiari 1 Malformation.These symptoms are: mild to severe headaches in the back of the head region, a sudden loss of balance or strength in your legs, pain in the eye region, overall muscle weakness, and/or numbness or tingling in the four extremities.

There are other symptoms and not all of these need to be experienced in order to be diagnosed with Chiari 1 Malformation. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then it is important that you meet with a Medical Doctor as soon as possible in order to have he or she suggest proper tests in order to diagnose your condition.

So, how is the Chiari 1 Malformation formally diagnosed? Actually, it is suggested that you meet with a neurologist (and preferably a neurosurgeon) in order to rule out certain medical conditions. If your doctor suspects that you may have this medical condition then they will recommend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to detect whether or not the boney tonsils are protruding through the base of the cerebellum and into the spinal cord. Depending on how many millimeters of protrusion there are along with many other factors, your neurosurgeon may suggest surgery in order to treat this condition. This surgery is relatively routine but it is not simple. The good news is that many people that have the surgery go on to have perfectly normal lives as this operation serves to decompress the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

If you have been diagnosed already with Chiari 1 Malformation and are yet to meet with a neurosurgeon then it is advisable that you do so in order to get a professional opinion. Unfortunately, there are many neurologists that will just brush off your condition and tell you to get on with your life. That is why it is so important that you meet with the right professional and get an opinion from somebody that is experienced in working with Chiari 1 Malformation.

Chiari 1 Malformation