Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

What is my next step? Neurologist?

My daughter has had migraines for a long period of time which were considered hormonal. We were both in a MVA in 2011 where I had cervical spine injury. She recently went to my chiropractor and he sent for an MRI and here is the impression: cerebellar tonsillar ectopia with the cerebellar tonsils extending approximately 6 to 7 mm below the level of the foramen magnum Chiari I malformation It was a broad diagnosis.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
What area do you live in? I can send you lists of Drs to research.....
Your next step is to find a true Chiari specialist to find out just what is going  on...just a neurologist may not be the right next step if the NL isn't well informed on Chiari and related conditions. You need someone that will look at the broader picture, and rule out anything else it could be.
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
My first qiestion is- Did she have the "migraines" before the accident in 2011?
Next is a statement- Chiari is NOT the herniation of the cerebral tonsils....there is Acquired Chiari due to blunt force trauma...such as an accident.....this can cause the herniation and the same symptoms as Chiari BUT since Chiari is not just the herniation, it is NOT Chiari .
Chiari by medical definition is the malformation of the cerebral skull....in which this part of the skull is too small to contain the cerebral tonsils so they are forced out and down the foreman magmum and can cause compression of the spinal cord and brain stem. Surgery is often done to make more room to allow CSF to flow...this DOES NOT FIX OR CURE THE CONDITION.It is done to slow progression and hopefully prevent the formation of a syrinx, (cyst) that forms when the CSF flow is restricted.If there is no restriction to CSF flow surgery will not be done.
Chiropractors should be avoided with this condition even if it is Acquired Chiari since the area around the spinal cord andbrain stem is small , manual manipulations could cause something to pinch, ...so do avoid this for her until you know more.

Does your daughter have any other issues/symptoms?
Where do her headaches originate?
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