Arnold-Chiari syndrome is a rare genetic malformation in which the central nervous system is compromised and can cause balance difficulties, loss of motor coordination and visual problems.
This malformation is more common in women and usually occurs during fetal development, in which, for some unknown reason, the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for balance, develops inappropriately. Depending on the development of the cerebellum, Arnold-Chiari Syndrome can be classified into four types:
- Diagnosis is based on imaging tests.
- Such as MRI or CT scans.
- And neurological exams.
- In which your doctor performs tests to evaluate a person’s motor and sensory abilities in addition to balance.
Some children born with this malformation may have no symptoms or occur when they reach adolescence or adulthood, being more common from age 30, symptoms vary depending on the degree of deterioration of the nervous system and may include:
This malformation is more common during fetal development, but can occur more rarely in adulthood due to situations that can reduce the amount of cerebrospinal fluid, such as infections, blows to the head, or exposure to toxic substances.
Diagnosis by a neurologist based on the symptoms reported by the person, neurological examinations, which allow the evaluation of reflexes, balance and coordination, and CT or MRI analysis.
Treatment is based on symptoms and severity and aims to relieve symptoms and prevent the disease from progressing. If there are no symptoms, there is usually no need for treatment. In some cases, however, your doctor may recommend using pain relievers. neurologist, such as ibuprofen, for example.
When symptoms appear and are more severe, interfering with a person’s quality of life, the neurologist may recommend surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia, to decompress the spinal cord and allow the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, as well as physical therapy or occupational therapy. be recommended by the neurologist to improve motor coordination, speech and coordination.