Symptomatic Chiari Malformation with Syringomyelia after Cervical Trauma: Case Report

摘要

Summary Chiari malformation type-I (CM-I) is a congenital disorder characterized by downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils thru the foramen magnum, with/ without syringomyelia. The patients can be asymptomatic until an aggravation condition like cervical trauma occurs. We present a 54 years old male patient suffering from neck pain after traffic accident. He had mild motor weakness in upper extremities. His neuroradiological examinations revealed C6-7 facet and C7 lamina fractures; syringomyelia descending from C1 to T3 and a CM-I. In early post-traumatic follow-up period, his weakness was progressed, foramen magnum decompression and posterior cervical stabilization was performed. His motor weakness recovered and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination showed an evident regression of syrinx diameter. It should be kept in mind that previously asymptomatic CM-1 patients can become symptomatic after cervical trauma. Top