What are the symptoms of a Chiari type 1 malformation?
Symptoms of a Chiari malformation are often vague or nonspecific and as a result many times diagnosis of a Chiari type 1 malformation is delayed. In fact, individuals with Chiari type 1 malformations do not have symptoms. When symptoms are present, headache and neck pain are common complaints. Some individuals with Chiari type 1 malformations report vertigo (dizziness), headaches caused by coughing or laughing, weakness in their arms, a burning like pain in the arms, or severe curvature of the spine. Therefore an individual with a “small Chiari malformation” (which causes less pressure) may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The region of the brain affected are the lower brainstem and cerebellum. The lower brainstem controls breathing, swallowing, balance, the vocal cords, eye movements, and sensation and body movements. What other disorders can occur with Chiari type 1 malformations? Chiari malformations can occur with other conditions. Some are: • hydrocephalus (excessive
