Chiari Malformation Case Study

Although Chiari Malformation (CM) has been discovered over 100 years ago, this disorder still remains poorly understood. For instance, despite major advances in medical services and technology, central questions about the pathology and cause of CM lack clear-cut answers. Chiari Malformation type II, the most common form of the disorder (roughly 1 in 1000 births), is a rare and serious anatomic anomaly of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by portions of the brain and brainstem protruding into the foramen magnum. This situation illustrates the point that surgery is the most effective treatment to stop or impede the progression of damage to CNS in patients who suffer from Chiari Malformation.