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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Review

Malformations of the craniocervical junction (chiari type I and syringomyelia: classification, diagnosis and treatment)

Authors: Alfredo Avellaneda Fernández, Alberto Isla Guerrero, Maravillas Izquierdo Martínez, María Eugenia Amado Vázquez, Javier Barrón Fernández, Ester Chesa i Octavio, Javier De la Cruz Labrado, Mercedes Escribano Silva, Marta Fernández de Gamboa Fernández de Araoz, Rocío García-Ramos, Miguel García Ribes, Carmen Gómez, Joaquín Insausti Valdivia, Ramón Navarro Valbuena, José R Ramón

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Special Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Chiari disease (or malformation) is in general a congenital condition characterized by an anatomic defect of the base of the skull, in which the cerebellum and brain stem herniate through the foramen magnum into the cervical spinal canal. The onset of Chiari syndrome symptoms usually occurs in the second or third decade (age 25 to 45 years). Symptoms may vary between periods of exacerbation and remission. The diagnosis of Chiari type I malformation in patients with or without symptoms is established with neuroimaging techniques. The most effective therapy for patients with Chiari type I malformation/syringomyelia is surgical decompression of the foramen magnum, however there are non-surgical therapy to relieve neurophatic pain: either pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Pharmacological therapy use drugs that act on different components of pain. Non-pharmacological therapies are primarly based on spinal or peripheral electrical stimulation.
It is important to determine the needs of the patients in terms of health-care, social, educational, occupational, and relationship issues, in addition to those derived from information aspects, particularly at onset of symptoms.
Currently, there is no consensus among the specialists regarding the etiology of the disease or how to approach, monitor, follow-up, and treat the condition.
It is necessary that the physicians involved in the care of people with this condition comprehensively approach the management and follow-up of the patients, and that they organize interdisciplinary teams including all the professionals that can help to increase the quality of life of patients.
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Metadata
Title
Malformations of the craniocervical junction (chiari type I and syringomyelia: classification, diagnosis and treatment)
Authors
Alfredo Avellaneda Fernández
Alberto Isla Guerrero
Maravillas Izquierdo Martínez
María Eugenia Amado Vázquez
Javier Barrón Fernández
Ester Chesa i Octavio
Javier De la Cruz Labrado
Mercedes Escribano Silva
Marta Fernández de Gamboa Fernández de Araoz
Rocío García-Ramos
Miguel García Ribes
Carmen Gómez
Joaquín Insausti Valdivia
Ramón Navarro Valbuena
José R Ramón
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue Special Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-10-S1-S1