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Scoliosis and Chiari I Malformations

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The Chiari Malformations

Abstract

Scoliosis is a relatively common condition observed in approximately 20 % of patients who have Chiari I malformations. It is most often found in association with syringomyelia. The presence of a Chiari malformation and scoliosis with or without symptoms frequently requires surgical intervention. Patients with scoliosis who have any of the following characteristics should undergo further evaluation: progressive scoliosis in a child less than 11 years old; left thoracic thoracolumbar scoliosis; painful scoliosis; mild painful stiff neck; abnormal deep tendon reflexes; muscle atrophy; minimal sensory loss; minimal weakness of a limb; or absence of abdominal cutaneous reflexes. The initial surgery of choice is a suboccipital decompression. Patients who have the best outcome are younger than 10 years old and have Cobb angles less than 20–30°. It is important to be vigilant about screening patients for Chiari malformations and syrinxes in cases of “idiopathic” scoliosis because early intervention portends the best prognosis for these patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St, Providence, RI, 02903, USA

    Heather S. Spader MD

  2. Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Primary Children’s Medical Center, 100 North Mario Capecchi Dr. #1475, Salt Lake City, UT, 84413, USA

    Douglas L. Brockmeyer MD

Authors
  1. Heather S. Spader MD
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  2. Douglas L. Brockmeyer MD
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Correspondence to Douglas L. Brockmeyer MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Hospital of Alabama, 7th Ave S 1600, Birmingham, 35233-1711, Alabama, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  2. The Children's Hospital of Alabama, 7th Ave S 1600, Birmingham, 35233-1711, Alabama, USA

    W. Jerry Oakes

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Spader, H.S., Brockmeyer, D.L. (2013). Scoliosis and Chiari I Malformations. In: Tubbs, R., Oakes, W. (eds) The Chiari Malformations. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6369-6_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6369-6_17

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6368-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6369-6

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