Chiari Malformation

Treatment of Children

Children at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota are treated at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital, a state-of-the-art, family-friendly children's hospital within Saint Marys Hospital.

Mayo's team of pediatric experts works together to find the most appropriate treatment for the child with a Chiari malformation. The team works closely with the child's family to help parents and siblings understand the child's condition. Families also learn how they can help improve their child's health and well-being.

A Chiari malformation found in infants and children is most often part of a larger syndrome that includes myelodysplasia (spina bifida or myelomeningocele). Treating this syndrome is complex, requiring skilled and experienced practitioners with state-of-the-art tools at their disposal.

The full extent of problems associated with a Chiari malformation is usually not completely understood at birth, but may show up as the child grows and develops. Children born with a Chiari malformation require frequent examinations and diagnostic testing to monitor the condition.

Diagnosis in Children

At Mayo Clinic, the development of a diagnosis of Chiari malformation is similar to the diagnosis procedure used for adults. Other factors, however, are also considered for diagnosis of children.

If a Chiari malformation is part of other congenital (present at birth) defects, the diagnosis may be made at birth. Otherwise, a diagnosis is made after the onset of signs and symptoms, and after diagnostic testing.

To diagnose Chiari malformation, Mayo specialists look for developmental milestones, such as the age the child sat up, crawled or walked. A Chiari malformation can be associated with other neuromuscular disorders such as hydrocephalus (excess fluid buildup within the brain), so the physician measures the child's head to see if the size is abnormal.

The most definitive test for Chiari malformation is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull. At Mayo, this noninvasive test, and the superior images it provides, has led to a greater use of MRI imaging in children with relatively nonspecific symptoms of headache and curvature of the spine. As a result, Chiari malformations are increasingly being discovered earlier, sometimes before more serious neurologic damage occurs.

Treatment Options for Children

Treatment options for children are similar to treatment for adults. At Mayo Clinic there is the option, however, for a less-invasive surgery for children.

As with adults, the surgery may be modified if there is a syrinx (fluid-filled cavity in the spinal cord) present or if the child has hydrocephalus. More than 90 percent of children who have the surgery do quite well and their symptoms improve.

Treatment Team

This disease is treated by pediatric specialists in Child and Adolescent Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Appointments

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.