Function of Cerebellar Tonsils

[mama2twobabies]

Out of curiosity, what is the function of the cerebellar tonsils? I can't find their exact function. I can find the cerebellum's function of controlling balance, spacial & fine motor functions. Are the cerebellar tonsils related to the functions of the cerebellum only, or do they have their own specific functions? Just wondering what these things that are causing all of these problems with me actually do in my brain!

[helpmom1945]

I noticed that Selma has helped a lot of people with this Chiari thing.  Maybe there is some help for my mom too.  My mom had a menegeoma brain tumor removed about 10 years ago.   She was better after the tumor was removed.  She could function for longer periods of time without having to rest.  Over the past 10 years she has been able to enjoy life with her family and grandkids for about 4 or 5 days and then she would have to take a few days to recover.  The downtime was caused by the indentations in her skull where the bone flap was replaced would start to sink in.  This would cause severe pressure and pain in her head.  She has also described it as numbness or like when your fingers are frozen and then start to thaw, that's the feeling in her head.  She decided that she could live with this because at least she had 4 or 5 good days, then she would have to sleep for a couple of days while the indentations would rise again and then she could go through the cycle again.  Lately, it has gotten to the point when the indentations will not rise again.  She has also started to lose the vision in her right eye.  She describes it as foggy.  The neurosugeon suggested that she go to a pain clinic and have an anesethesologist inject a nerve block around the indentations.  Still waiting for them to call with an appt.  He also suggested that she see an eye doctor.  I have never heard of Chiari until I got on this site but it sounds similiar to what she is going through.  Any thougths?
Laura

[selmaS]

HI Laura...ur mom is very lucky to have such a thoughtful daughter to advocate for her...

It sounds like maybe the settling of the area that was operated on may have some movement....I also wonder if she has developed inter-cranial hypertension....too much CSF...that would explain the indentations expanding.....and now that it is not expanding, I wonder if she now has too little CSF??This would explain the eye issues too!

Have they done a brain MRI recently?.....it is not uncommon for chiarians to develop the CSF issues after surgery and I wonder if it is the same for a tumor.

Have her push for a MRI if she has not had one recently to see what is going on. I agree some of her issues do sound very similar to chiari, but get the MRI's to see what is going on.

I hope this is helpful
Please keep us posted on ur non's progress : )
"selma"

[LisaM46]

The first time I heard about "shrinking" the cerebellar tonsils, I thought it had to be an error in reporting of a story.  But the more research I do, the more I see references to "shrinking" the tonsils.  Does "shrinking" mean "cauterizing"?  And some doctors have actually cut them off?  I'm so confused.

Well, to be quite honest, when I was diagnosed, and my report said my tonsils descended 11mm into my spinal cord, and so I asked the doctor if they couldn't remove my tonsils.  I didn't know there was another set of tonsils in my head!!!  I'm sure the Dr. had a giggle over it with his colleagues later :)

Lisa

[helpmom1945]

Thank you for your quick response, Selma.  My mom received the results of her MRI/MRA scan two weeks ago.  It showed no changes.  The neurosurgeon said everything looks normal.  The brain tumor has not returned.  She also has an anyersm behind her right ear.  It has not grown since the last MRI/MRA scan and does not require surgery.  The neurosurgeon said that he could replace the bone flap and add a filler so that the indentations would not sink in and press on a nerve but it was very risky because of her medical history of stroke and the anyersm.  He said that should be the last resort.  We are still waiting on a call from the pain clinic to schedule the appt for the nerve block.  The nerve block should take away the pain which is great but I was concerned that it would only mask the problem.  He said that because the MRI/MRA was fine that there is nothing to worry about.  As I was reading about Chiari I noticed that sometimes it can be related to a tethered cord.  She does have a sacral dimple.  The doctors are not aware of this.  After reading all about this I thought that may be something that they need to know.  My son was born with a tethered cord and had a sacral dimple.  He went the the surgery to release the cord.  Hopefully he will not have any problems in the future.  He has also had a stroke.  All of it sounds related.  Have you ever heard of a nerve block as a form of treatment?

Laura

[*Stormy*]

Hello Laura..

I'm so sorry to hear about the struggle your mom is having...the cycle of 5 days of energy and then a few days of bed rest, sound so familiar to me.

I just wanted to add that I too have a sacral dimple as well as my youngest son. I was told that both of ours are a normal variant...things they do look for are patches of hair, birthmarks near it or if there is a pinhole or if the dimple isn't completely closed over. I'm sure you know all this already b/c of you son...but just in case!

That is too weird that your son had TC and your mom has the issues that she does. I'm sure Selma can tell you if this kind of thing is hereditary but to me that is a big coincidence! I think that gives you more than enough reasons to bring that up to your mother's Dr.

It has been mentioned to me about getting a nerve block in my spine to help with the pain. However, after I looked into it and realized that they stick a needle in your spine and release some anesthetic to numb the nerves..it had me a little scared. I have had 3 C-sections and so have had 3 spinal blocks already and I did not enjoy it. Plus, I am concerned that having those spinal taps may have increased my Chiari issues. So my advice would be to make sure there is nothing else going on b4 she takes that route.

I really wish your mom good luck on finding some answers!! She is extremely lucky to have such a wonderful daughter like yourself.

Take care
Carolyn

[nayemack]

I had my second decompression in dec 2009 and during this procedure the dr (same one who did first in 2002) shrunk my descending tonsils. Was concerned when I woke up from surgery unable to use left side of body and severe pain difficulty in walking and slurred speech. Was told would get better in 10days. Well 9mos later and still have walking problems after pain mgment and physical therapy, pyhco therapy, pain meds, mri's (3), EMT dopplers and still no dx! I need help! Can't work!single Mom of five! 28yrs of chiari pain and now this! Anyone heard of this side effect! Nayemack