What is the best hospital for Chiari malformation?

Mayo Clinic doctors have expertise and experience in treating Chiari malformation and other conditions. Each year, Mayo Clinic doctors treat more than 1,700 people with Chiari malformation.

Who treats Chiari malformation?

Doctors Who Treat Chiari Malformation

  • Philip E. Stieg, Ph.D., M.D.
  • Jeffrey P. Greenfield, M.D., Ph. D. Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery in Pediatrics.
  • Caitlin Hoffman, M.D. Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery in Pediatrics.
  • Mark M. Souweidane, M.D. Director, Pediatric Neurological Surgery.

What activities should you avoid with Chiari malformation?

Trampolines, roller coasters, scuba diving, and other activities that apply G forces to the neck. Contact sports to avoid include football, soccer (heading the ball), diving, running, weight lifting, etc. Constipation and straining during bowel movements. Straining can cause formation or worsening of a syrinx.

What is the success rate of Chiari malformation surgery?

Surgical treatment resulted in a long-term success rate of 84.2% (32 patients improved at last follow-up). Thirty-one patients (81.5%) achieved a CCOS score between 13 and 16. Headache improved in 86.9% of patients, gait impairment in 83.3%, paresthesias in 70% and neck pain in 65.2%.

Can a neurologist treat Chiari malformation?

Research. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologists), brain and nervous system surgery (neurosurgeons), and other areas conduct research in diagnostic tests and treatments for Chiari malformation and other neurological conditions.

What causes Chiari flare ups?

Causes of Chiari Malformations Chiari malformations are usually caused by structural defects in the brain and spinal cord. These defects develop during fetal development. Due to genetic mutations or a maternal diet that lacked certain nutrients, the indented bony space at the base of the skull is abnormally small.

Does Chiari malformation get worse?

If you have been diagnosed with Chiari malformation, one of the first questions you may have is, “Can Chiari malformation get worse?” The simple answer is, yes, it can, which is why many (though not all) patients will require treatment.