Chiari Malformation also known as Arnold Chiari Malformation

What is it? Is it treatable?

Chiari malformations are known as structural defects in the cerebellum. That’s the part of the brain which controls balance. Some people with chiari malformation have no symptoms, while others have symptoms such as these:

• dizziness
• muscle weakness
• numbness
• vision problems
• headaches
• problems with balance and coordination

Did you know that chiari is more common in women than it is in men? Scientists once believed that Chiari malformations occurred in only 1 in every 1,000 births. But the increased use of diagnostic imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRIs suggests that the condition may be much more common.

Accurate estimates are difficult to make. That’s because some children who are born with the condition either never develop symptoms or don’t develop symptoms until they reach adolescence or adulthood.

Causes of Chiari Malformations

Chiari malformations are usually caused by structural defects in the brain and spinal cord. These defects develop during fetal development.

Due to genetic mutations or a maternal diet that lacked certain nutrients, the indented bony space at the base of the skull is abnormally small. As a result, pressure is placed on the cerebellum. This blocks the…