Toddler Chiari??

[ryancerney]

I am a father of twin boys (4yrs old) and one of my sons has been complaining of "terrible headaches" off and on almost daily for a few weeks now.  He also says his legs are getting tired easily.  Took him into the pediatrician and he said he checks out fine.  What concerns me (probably just the dad in me jumping to conclusions) is that I had a chiari malformation and have had four surgeries over the last ten years.  I obviously don't want him to experience that but wondering if juveniles can have chiari without the other extreme things usually found with adolescents and chiari such as multiple sclerosis or hydrocephalus.  He said it hurts to bend his head to his chin too.  Any insight is welcome!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask, did they check him for tethered cord too?.....As for the pediatrician he just may not know what to look for...he should be seen by a chiari specialist since u have a family history and have these concerns.

I would also advise u  to get copies of his MRI....they did a MRI didn't they ......if not do ask a brain MRI is done, get copies of both the MRI and the report.

I am so sorry u r dealing with this concern, but better to check now then to put it off.

  "selma"

[pamk5]

Hello and welcome?  Did you ask the pediatrician to order an MRI based on your history?  I think the jury is still out with the genetic link but I do believe it exist as my aunt also has CM.  There are different types of CM and it is possible that he has CM1 like you do? My son is also going thru a workup at this point to see how much is going on with him.  His MRI does look as though he has a tiny herniation and some crowding.  The MRI of his spine is next week to see what else there is.  I would absolutely insist that they order an MRI for him.  Did your son have a trauma in the last few weeks that possibly brought on the symptoms?  

These are my thoughts on the issue.  I hope it helps.  

Pam