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Case of simultaneous Chiari 1.5 malformation and syringobulbia

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Abstract

Chiari 1.5 malformation (C1.5) is a rare condition characterized by caudal descent of the brain stem, together with descent of the cerebellar tonsils characteristic of Chiari I malformation (CIM). Syringobulbia (SB) is rarely associated with CIM and to date has not been reported in a patient with C1.5. An adolescent female presented with Valsalva-induced headaches and a left abducens nerve palsy. Imaging revealed C1.5 and a huge syringomyelia extending cranially into the herniated medulla oblongata as syringobulbia. Simultaneous cases of C1.5 and syringomyelia (SM) have been described, but, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of simultaneous C1.5 and SB. As SB can have life altering consequences, the clinician should keep this possibility in their differential diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, 131 S. Robertson St. Suite 1300, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Katie Carsky, Joe Iwanaga, Aaron S. Dumont & R. Shane Tubbs

  2. Department of Neurology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Joe Iwanaga & R. Shane Tubbs

  3. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University, St. George’s, Grenada

    R. Shane Tubbs

  4. Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  5. Department of Neurosurgery and Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

Authors
  1. Katie Carsky
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  2. Joe Iwanaga
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  3. Aaron S. Dumont
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  4. R. Shane Tubbs
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Correspondence to Joe Iwanaga.

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Carsky, K., Iwanaga, J., Dumont, A.S. et al. Case of simultaneous Chiari 1.5 malformation and syringobulbia. Childs Nerv Syst 37, 2409–2411 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04924-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04924-9

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