No CSF blockage

[Mallisa1]

Hello all,
I was just diagnosed with Chiari a month ago. The first surgeon was ready to do surgery but the second said I was not a candidate for surgery due to no CSF blockage. What are your thoughts?

[Elisaandbucky]

Hello. In addition to the responses you received above, I would add that keeping a very accurate journal of your pain and other symptoms will prove helpful when you get in to see a neurologist/neurosurgeon. As already mentioned to you above, there are sometimes other conditions that are associated with Chiari and your journal entries will help the doctor in diagnosis - not to mention, help you to recall things when you need to. Be strong and com back frequently to this forum so you can get the help and encouragement you need.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Not everyone with Chiari will be a surgical candidate....surgery is done to restore CSF flow and if your CINE MRI is showing no obstruction then surgery will not be an option NOW....that may change and as the above poster mentioned, do educate  yourself and research Drs and find a true Chiari specialist...we do have a list to help you get started ...but the list is not a referral nor an endorsement for those on the list, it is just a starting point for your research.

This condition is not easy to get a DX for and it has several related conditions that will need to be ruled out.....as they can affect how you feel and heal should you become a surgical candidate at some later date.

Again, surgery when there is no obstruction may only cause you other issues....get more testing done and find a specialist to help  guide you to the best course of treatment for you.

Know you are not alone

[Lottida]

Hi Mallisa1......you are actually lucky to have had 2 neurosurgeons eval within 1 months diagnosis.  I was diagnosed 5 weeks ago & 1st  neurosurgeon just blew off the 8mm Chiari Malformation & 1cm Meningioma tumor.  I have been doing my research to do exactly what this forum tells you to do------FIND A CHIARI SPECIALIST.  Only problem is I have to wait 3 more weeks to see specialist.  Don't waste your time otherwise.  I will need further tests to determine CSF flow as this is 1 of the primary indications of surgery if interrupted/occluded.

Did you have any additional testing to rule out other problems??   I hope I don't need decompression surgery either.  What types of symptoms do you have & do you know your herniation length??  Good luck with your search & symptom relief.