MY NEPHEW IS GOING THROUGH THIS WE WANT YOU ALL TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IT IS
I WANT U TO LEARN ABOUT ACM AND SUPPORT OUR CAUSE CHEK OUT MY ALBUM ACM AWARENESS AND U TELL HIM THERES NOTHING U CAN DO,,,SING AND REPOST TANX
Arnold-Chiari malformation, sometimes referred to as Chiari II malformation or ACM, is a congenital malformation of the brain.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation (Chiari II malformation) occurs in almost all children born with both spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The Austrian pathologist Hans Chiari in the late 1800's described seemingly related anomalies of the hindbrain, the so called Chiari malformations I, II and III. Later, other investigators added a fourth (Chiari IV) malformation. The scale of severity is rated I - IV, with IV being the most severe.
Contents [hide]
1 Cause
2 Symptoms
3 Presentation
4 Treatment
5 History
6 References
7 External links
[edit] Cause
The cerebellar tonsils are elongated and pushed down through the opening of the base of the skull (see foramen magnum), blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
The brainstem, cranial nerves, and the lower portion of the cerebellum may be stretched or compressed.
Therefore, any of the functions controlled by these areas may be affected. The blockage of CSF flow may also cause a syrinx to form, eventually leading to syringomyelia. Many sufferers turn to The Chiari Institute in Long Island, NY for specialized medical attention and medication.
[edit] Symptoms
Chiari is often associated with major headaches, sometimes mistaken as migranes. Chiari headaches usually include intence throbbing in the back of the head. Chiari also includes extreme muscle soreness and low energy levels. It also can cause a hoarseness in the voice.
[edit] Presentation
In infants, the most common symptoms are stridor and swallowing difficulties. In older children, upper (and lower as age marches on) limb weakness and breathing difficulties may occur. Patients may experience no symptoms or remain asymptomatic until early adulthood, at which point they will often experience quick onset severe headaches and neck pain. Fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, neuropathic pain, pain at the point of tethering, visual disturbances, difficulty swallowing, ringing in the ears, sleep apnea, impaired fine motor skills, muscle weakness, and palpitations and excessive clearing of the throat with no obstructions are other common symptoms. Because of the complex combination of symptoms, and the lack of experience with the malformation by many neurologists and neurosurgeons, patients are frequently misdiagnosed.
Some patients may go an entire lifetime without having noticeable symptoms. Or, symptoms can be minimal, then turn severe suddenly due to head trauma which alters the condition of the spine, brain, or cerebellar tonsils and begins to cause more difficulties.
A Chiari malformation may be congenital or acquired. Research is still being done to determine its causes. In some cases it can be hereditary, and numerous cases exist of multiple members of one family having the condition.
It is common for adults to start showing noticeable symptoms when they are in the mid to late 30's. It is more common in women than in men.
[edit] Treatment
Once symptomatic onset occurs, the most frequent treatment is decompression surgery, in which a neurosurgeon seeks to open the base of the skull and through various methods unrestrict CSF flow to the spine. This treatment is well recognized and accepted with many studies published (involving a total of hundreds of patients) in well respected peer reviewed medical journals showing that about 80% of patients obtain improvement.
A small number of neurological surgeons believe that detethering the spinal cord as an alternate approach relieves the compression of the brain against the skull opening (foramen magnum) obviating the need for decompression surgery and associated trauma. However, this approach is significantly less documented in the medical literature with reports on only a handfull of patients. It should be noted that the alternative spinal surgery is also not without risk.
Arnold-Chiari malformation, sometimes referred to as Chiari II malformation or ACM, is a congenital malformation of the brain.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation (Chiari II malformation) occurs in almost all children born with both spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The Austrian pathologist Hans Chiari in the late 1800's described seemingly related anomalies of the hindbrain, the so called Chiari malformations I, II and III. Later, other investigators added a fourth (Chiari IV) malformation. The scale of severity is rated I - IV, with IV being the most severe.
Contents [hide]
1 Cause
2 Symptoms
3 Presentation
4 Treatment
5 History
6 References
7 External links
[edit] Cause
The cerebellar tonsils are elongated and pushed down through the opening of the base of the skull (see foramen magnum), blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
The brainstem, cranial nerves, and the lower portion of the cerebellum may be stretched or compressed.
Therefore, any of the functions controlled by these areas may be affected. The blockage of CSF flow may also cause a syrinx to form, eventually leading to syringomyelia. Many sufferers turn to The Chiari Institute in Long Island, NY for specialized medical attention and medication.
[edit] Symptoms
Chiari is often associated with major headaches, sometimes mistaken as migranes. Chiari headaches usually include intence throbbing in the back of the head. Chiari also includes extreme muscle soreness and low energy levels. It also can cause a hoarseness in the voice.
[edit] Presentation
In infants, the most common symptoms are stridor and swallowing difficulties. In older children, upper (and lower as age marches on) limb weakness and breathing difficulties may occur. Patients may experience no symptoms or remain asymptomatic until early adulthood, at which point they will often experience quick onset severe headaches and neck pain. Fatigue, dizziness, vertigo, neuropathic pain, pain at the point of tethering, visual disturbances, difficulty swallowing, ringing in the ears, sleep apnea, impaired fine motor skills, muscle weakness, and palpitations and excessive clearing of the throat with no obstructions are other common symptoms. Because of the complex combination of symptoms, and the lack of experience with the malformation by many neurologists and neurosurgeons, patients are frequently misdiagnosed.
Some patients may go an entire lifetime without having noticeable symptoms. Or, symptoms can be minimal, then turn severe suddenly due to head trauma which alters the condition of the spine, brain, or cerebellar tonsils and begins to cause more difficulties.
A Chiari malformation may be congenital or acquired. Research is still being done to determine its causes. In some cases it can be hereditary, and numerous cases exist of multiple members of one family having the condition.
It is common for adults to start showing noticeable symptoms when they are in the mid to late 30's. It is more common in women than in men.
[edit] Treatment
Once symptomatic onset occurs, the most frequent treatment is decompression surgery, in which a neurosurgeon seeks to open the base of the skull and through various methods unrestrict CSF flow to the spine. This treatment is well recognized and accepted with many studies published (involving a total of hundreds of patients) in well respected peer reviewed medical journals showing that about 80% of patients obtain improvement.
A small number of neurological surgeons believe that detethering the spinal cord as an alternate approach relieves the compression of the brain against the skull opening (foramen magnum) obviating the need for decompression surgery and associated trauma. However, this approach is significantly less documented in the medical literature with reports on only a handfull of patients. It should be noted that the alternative spinal surgery is also not without risk.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Fantasia on -
My bebe! I am stressed out with all of this - and I cannot even begin to imagine what my sister feels like ...
To have to have brain surgery at such a young age ... WHAT did he do to deserve this?! NOT A DAMN THING! He is an innocent child! I will not rest until I spread awareness and the doctors give us answers!!!!
Titi LOVES you bebe!
-
Permalink Reply by Max Parthas on -
Tribal and I send our prayers for a miracle to bless your family.
-
Permalink Reply by Hannah Drake on -
God bless your nephew!
-
Permalink Reply by Wise1Poet on -
thank you we just wish there was more we could do he says he doesnt want to be like this anymore he wants to be normal
-
Permalink Reply by Tammy Jones on -
I thought I commented on this...my daughter suffers from this same issue but her problems are a bit more complex. After reading this article, I see these things in her and it makes sense and explains the complaints she has. Wise, thanks for posting this and know I wish for the best regarding your nephew.
-
Permalink Reply by Geoffrey D. Holman a.k.a. PRIEST on -
That's a lot to contend with for your Nephew, especially that he's so fragile. I'm praying for him and
your family. Just remember.... there's a blessing for you here. Keep your light shining sister girl!
Priest
-
Permalink Reply by Geoffrey D. Holman a.k.a. PRIEST on
-
Hello Wise 1 Poet: I've learned (as I'm sure that many of have) we're all tested here With a lot of the garbage that's thrown at us everey day....with things that question our own humanity and our beliefs in a higher power. I'm no holy roller, nor do I wish to be.... but as a child I spent a lot of time studying with different faiths one thing that most of them had in common was that the higher power was loving and all powerful. God is the hero in all this madness.
Peace brother
-
Permalink Reply by Jay Lovely. on -
I'm sorry to hear that. I'll be praying no doubt. It's good to give everyone a heads up about it all too so that's what's up to you. Keep the faith strong you and all. ~1~ <3 LJ.
© 2009 Created by Max Parthas on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
