Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
20720577 tn?1504615621

7mm Chiari - normal CSF flow, broad foramen magnum but symptomatic

Hi all,

I have been diagnosed with Chiari 1 (7mm herniation of tonsils) one month ago. The MRI shows that the CSF flow is normal and no compression phenomena are found in this area.

However, since I was 17, I suffer from vertigo and extreme headaches that have lasted 5 years in total so far (yes, 5 years non-stop). I have balance problems, cognitive problems and memory loss. My right hand and leg have gone numb and weak from time to time. Chronic fatigue is also another big problem. Symptoms are exacerbated when I have those tension headaches that feel more like neuralgia. Once I had a crisis that affected the right side of my brain and body and hit very hard my trigeminal nerve.

I do not have the typical Chiari 1 symptoms (cough headache, neck or shoulder pain).

Most doctors say that my symptoms do not have to do with Chiari 1. The best doctor I have been so far said that CSF flow may look normal but sometimes my brain may swell and block the CFS flow causing all those symptoms.

Does anybody here have normal CFS flow and broad foramen magnum but still have extreme symptoms?


Your opinion will be highly valued and appreciated!

I am almost invalid. I am 29.
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask, did you have a CINE MRI? If not, a regular MRI could indicate "normal" CSF flow since the pictures are just that pictures of one moment...BUT a CINE MRI is a video or moving picture in real time showing how the CSF fluid may be obstructed when your heart beats etc.....so make sure you had a CINE MRI to know if your flow is truly normal....
Your symptoms may not be due to the Chiari but to related conditions....there are many related conditions that have symptoms similar to those of Chiari.....what related conditions have they ruled out?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chiari Malformation Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease