What are the long term effects of Arnold Chiari Malformation?

Answer 1

If you or some one you has this, you have my prayers. It is a difficult path. I was diagnosed with this July 2012 after suffering headaches, blurred vision, and a loss of balance as well as a loss of feeling on the left side of my face and neck. It's is diagnosed by means of an MRI and is typically accompanied by a Syrnix (a pocket of fluid in the spinal cord). After 6 months of searching for the right surgeon, we found him in Detroit. Dr Fahim, was fantastic. The recovery will be painful, and plan on staying in the hospital for at least 4 days. This is not a easy or quick surgery. But I will say this, that after waking, the feeling in my face was returning.

As far as lasting effects, there will be a few. One, my vision never returned to where it was. I have slightly blurred vision when I look left. It worsens in the cold. If I look to my far left, my vision doubles more. Two, feeling in my face and neck have returned, but alas, not to the degree that once was. Of course Three, I have a MONDO scar on the back of my head and neck.

These, of course are all small in comparison to what could have been. If I had left the symptoms keep going, more nerve damage was going to happen, and remain permanent. This is something that can not be IGNORED, and must be corrected as quickly as possible by a surgeon that you trust, and has preformed this surgery many times before. Many things can go wrong, and will if you let it go unchecked.

These are just my long term effects. I'm by no means an example of every one. It will effect everyone differently. Be it the size of their Syrnix, the size of the Malformation, your after care, even the surgeon. They will all play a part in the lasting effects of the Chiari.

Answer 2

In some patients Chiari malformation can become progressive and lead to serious complications. Others may have no associated symptoms and for those no intervention is needed. Some of the complications associated with this disease are; hydrocephalus, paralysis, syringomyelia, and even death.