Some Chiari malformations don't cause symptoms or affect a person's daily life. These malformations may not be treated. In some cases, medicines can help control some symptoms, such as pain. If your child's symptoms are ongoing (chronic) or associated with a syringomyelia, your child may need surgery.
When considering whether your child might benefit from surgery, we consider:
- Your child's MRI findings
- Your child's symptoms
- Whether your child has syringomyelia
Together, you and your child's doctor will choose the type of treatment that is best for your child.
Surgery for Chiari Malformations
Our neurosurgeons do a procedure called posterior fossa decompression to treat Chiari malformations. It is the most common treatment for the condition. It makes more room in the skull for the cerebellum and brain stem. This relieves some pressure on the brain. The operation also allows more normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. If your child also has a fluid-filled cyst (syringomelia), this surgery usually allows it to drain.
During posterior fossa decompression, the neurosurgeon makes a cut (incision) at the back of head and removes a small portion of bone from the base of your child’s skull. Sometimes it is also necessary to remove part of the first one or two bones (vertebrae) of the backbone (spine). The surgeon may open up the tough membrane (dura mater) that covers the brain in the affected area and place a patch on it. The patch usually comes from tissue outside your child's skull.