Chiari Disease

Chiari disease: understanding and symptoms

Chiari disease, also known as Chiari malformation, named after the Austrian pathologist Hans Chiari, is a rare neurological condition that is characterized by structural abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. This condition usually appears in early childhood or adolescence and can cause a variety of symptoms due to poor circulation of cerebrospinal fluid and compression of nerve structures.

The main aspect of Chiari disease is the displacement of the lower back part of the brain, known as the cerebellum, through an opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum. In a normal state, the cerebellum is located above the foramen magnum, but with Chiari disease it drops lower, which can lead to compression of the brain structures and disruption of normal blood circulation.

One of the most common symptoms of Chiari disease is headaches, which can be chronic and worsen with physical activity or stress. Neck pain, dizziness, trouble sleeping, difficulty swallowing, changes in vision and hearing, coordination problems, and balance problems may also occur.

In addition to these symptoms, some patients with Chiari disease may experience back problems such as scoliosis or herniated discs. There may also be difficulty in the functioning of the atria and lower extremities.

The diagnosis of Chiari disease is usually made based on the patient's medical history, physical examination, and the results of additional tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. Treatment for Chiari disease depends on the symptoms and may include drug therapy to relieve pain and control symptoms, and in some cases, surgery may be required.

Chiari disease is a chronic condition requiring long-term management and monitoring. Early detection and treatment can help relieve symptoms and improve patients' quality of life. Therefore, it is important to contact a qualified healthcare professional if you suspect Chiari disease or have characteristic symptoms.

Vhiari disease: modern aspects of diagnosis and treatment

Chiari disease, also known as Chiari malformation, is a rare neurological condition that is characterized by structural abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. This condition was first described by Austrian pathologist Hans Hiari in 1891 and has since attracted the attention of the medical community.

The main aspect of Chiari disease is the displacement of the lower back part of the brain, known as the cerebellum, down through an opening at the base of the skull called the foramen magnum. This can lead to compression of brain structures and disruption of normal blood and cerebrospinal fluid circulation.

Diagnosis of Chiari disease usually involves a detailed discussion of the patient's medical history and symptoms, as well as a physical examination. Additional tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) may be done to confirm the diagnosis. These methods allow visualization of abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord, as well as assessment of the degree of cerebellar displacement.

Treatment for Chiari disease depends on the symptoms and their severity. In some cases, when there are few or no symptoms, only observation and regular medical monitoring may be required. However, if symptoms persist or the disease progresses, surgery may be necessary.

The goal of surgical treatment of Chiari disease is to relieve compression of brain structures and restore normal blood and cerebrospinal fluid circulation. One of the main procedures is posterior fossa decompression, which removes part of the bones from the back of the skull and cervical vertebrae to create more space for the brain and improve circulation.

After surgery, patients may require a rehabilitation period to recover and adapt. Physical therapy, braces, and medication may be used to control symptoms and maintain overall health.

Although Chiari disease is a chronic condition, modern diagnostic and treatment methods can achieve significant improvements in the quality of life of patients. It is important to consult a qualified neurologist or neurosurgeon for

*Chiari Disease*

Chiari disease is a disease manifested by narrowing and flattening of the cerebellum with “squeezing” it out of the foramen magnum. According to the history of medicine and anatomy, this term was introduced by the doctor Gall in 1793. In 1966, this phenomenon was described by the new name Chiaris, and in 1845 it was also called Antrum Chiari. It most often occurs in children and young adults, but is also known to affect adults. The peak of the disease is observed from 5 to 20 years. It affects boys 6 times more often than girls. This may be due to the more complex anatomy of the female skull. The degenerative form is more common, because the connective tissues degrade and this causes compression and the formation of various hernias from the spinal cord.

The clinical manifestations of the disease are very variable, although often with the vertebrogenic formation of chiari syndrome, disturbances in the emotional-volitional sphere appear in the form of phobias, obsessive movements and other neurotic disorders. A certain number of patients lose the ability to think logically, have problems with time perception, and lose their sense of smell.

Patients develop motor dysfunction and paralysis. The main symptoms of the disease are disturbances in the regulation of cerebral circulation. But due to the greater prevalence of the progressive form, its clinical indicators are called typical:

headache, coordination problems, headaches, changes in gait, convulsions and paresthesia (tingling), paralysis, cardiac dysfunction, blood pressure, genitourinary organs. Mental disorders are often added to this. For example, depression can lead to