A magnetic resonance imaging study of congenital Chiari malformations

Introduction Chiari malformations are develop- mental anomalies with the hernia- tion of the brainstem medulla and the cerebellar tonsils and vermis through the foramen magnum. The patients manifest with headache, neck pain, progressive scoliosis and cerebellar dysfunction due to cervico-medullary compression. These malformations range from the simpler to the more complex varieties of presentation, signifying their stages of appearance during embryological differentia- tion and development. The aim was to study various types of Chiari mal- formations with the help of magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Materials and methods In this study, 45 cases of Chiari mal- formations were considered. Results Among 45 cases, 37, 6 and 2 were type 1, 2 and 3 Chiari malformations, respectively. 53.33% cases were male and rest were female cases. The hydrocephalus and syringomyelia were present in 28.89% and 48.89% of cases, respectively. Length of her- niated cerebeller tonsil in 56.76% cases of type 1 Chiari malformations are in between 10 mm and less than 20 mm.