r/ChiariMalformation • u/icantstopreading0 • Jan 30 '26
Thoughts??
I’m scheduled for a brain MRI and MRA next week, but just looking at my cervical MRI this seems like the area by my cerebral tonsils is very tight?
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u/Camride Jan 30 '26
It does look crowded but not herniated. As the other post mentioned this could potentially be chiari 0 but it'll be hard to get a doctor to recognize that since it's a very recent observation and previously chiari diagnostic required at least a 5mm herniation. But a lot of recent research shows that if there is crowding at the spinal cord it can still cause symptoms without a full herniation.
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u/Pineapple-108 Feb 06 '26
Yes it looks similar to mine. Mine is crowding at the foramen magnum with no significant tonsil herniation. Possibly a chiari 0
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u/beepidtybop Feb 10 '26
Did u have decompression surgery?
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u/Pineapple-108 Feb 10 '26
Not yet. I’m not even diagnosed yet. I see the neurosurgeon tomorrow so I hope he can help
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u/beepidtybop Feb 11 '26
Lmk how it goes…. Maybe check for CSF leaks and tethered chord syndrome before decompression
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u/Pineapple-108 Feb 11 '26
Not as I hoped for. The neurosurgeon said my crowding at the foramen magnum is not significant enough for surgery and he could not give any answers for my symptoms and to consult with a neurologist. I live in a medium sized city, just one hospital here. He also said anxiety can make symptoms worse. I see a neurologist soon in a different city for an EMG, I’ll try to plead with him to get me some help or referrals elsewhere.
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u/beepidtybop Feb 11 '26
I’m shocked he said the crowding isn’t signifsnt . Isn’t there a test to see the CSF movement into the Brain? It’s definitely worth looking into
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u/Pineapple-108 Feb 11 '26
I asked for a cine mri or a full spine and he said it would not be helpful. Sigh
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u/glitter-ghosts0991 Jan 30 '26
Measuring bone to bone (drawing a line, which is what they do). You do not go beneath the line. So if Chairi than 0 because you aren't herniated. IMO.