Many people with Chiari malformation have no signs or symptoms and don't need treatment. Their condition is detected only when tests are performed for unrelated disorders. However, depending on the type and severity, Chiari malformation can cause a number of problems. The more common types of Chiari malformation are:  Type 1 Type 2  Although these types are less serious than the rarer pediatric form, type 3, signs and symptoms still can be life disrupting. Chiari malformation type 1 In Chiari malformation type 1, signs and symptoms usually appear during late childhood or adulthood. Headaches, often severe, are the classic symptom of Chiari malformation. They generally occur after sudden coughing, sneezing or straining. People with Chiari malformation type 1 can also experience:  Neck pain Unsteady gait (problems with balance) Poor hand coordination (fine motor skills) Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet Dizziness Difficulty swallowing, sometimes accompanied by gagging, choking and vomiting Speech problems, such as hoarseness  Less often, people with Chiari malformation may experience:  Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus) Weakness Slow heart rhythm Curvature of the spine (scoliosis) related to spinal cord impairment Breathing problems, such as central sleep apnea, which is when a person stops breathing during sleep  Chiari malformation type 2 In Chiari malformation type 2, a greater amount of tissue extends into the spinal canal compared with that in Chiari malformation type 1. The signs and symptoms can include those related to a form of spina bifida called myelomeningocele that nearly always accompanies Chiari malformation type 2. In myelomeningocele, the backbone and the spinal canal don't close properly before birth. Signs and symptoms may include:  Changes in breathing pattern Swallowing problems, such as gagging Quick downward eye movements Weakness in the arms  Chiari malformation type 2 is usually noted with ultrasound during pregnancy. It may also be diagnosed after birth or in early infancy. Chiari malformation type 3 In the most severe type of the condition, Chiari malformation type 3, a portion of the lower back part of the brain (cerebellum) or the brainstem extends through an opening in the back of the skull. This form of Chiari malformation is diagnosed at birth or with an ultrasound during pregnancy. This type of Chiari malformation has a higher mortality rate and may also cause neurological problems.
people chiari malformation signs symptoms don't need treatment  condition detected only tests performed unrelated disorders  however  depending type severity  chiari malformation can cause number problems  common types chiari malformation are:  type 1 type 2  types rarer pediatric form  type 3  signs symptoms still can life disrupting  chiari malformation type 1 chiari malformation type 1  signs symptoms late childhood adulthood  headaches  severe  classic symptom chiari malformation  generally occur sudden coughing  sneezing straining  people chiari malformation type 1 can experience:  neck pain unsteady gait (problems balance) poor hand coordination (fine motor skills) numbness tingling hands feet dizziness difficulty swallowing  accompanied gagging  choking vomiting speech problems  hoarseness  often  people chiari malformation may experience:  ringing buzzing ears (tinnitus) weakness slow heart rhythm curvature spine (scoliosis) spinal cord impairment breathing problems  central sleep apnea  person stops breathing sleep  chiari malformation type 2 chiari malformation type 2  greater amount tissue extends spinal canal compared chiari malformation type 1  signs symptoms can include form spina bifida called myelomeningocele nearly accompanies chiari malformation type 2  myelomeningocele  backbone spinal canal don't close properly birth  signs symptoms may include:  changes breathing pattern swallowing problems  gagging quick eye movements weakness arms  chiari malformation type 2 noted ultrasound pregnancy  may diagnosed birth early infancy  chiari malformation type 3 severe type condition  chiari malformation type 3  portion lower back part brain (cerebellum) brainstem extends opening back skull  form chiari malformation diagnosed birth ultrasound pregnancy  type chiari malformation higher mortality rate may cause neurological problems
chiari malformation