Acquired Chiari?

[PainInTheNeck]

I have been dealing with a CSF leak since the first of October, possibly longer but that is when my symptoms became intolerable. I have had 1 blood patch and have been better. At least I am out of bed. However, by late afternoon I start experiencing more and more pain and pressure.

Without going in to too much detail my question is can a chronic leak cause acquiried Chirari? I'm going to my neurosurgeon tomorrow and I am so unsure if I should let this go longer without being healed all the way so I don't go through unnecessary procedures. Or is it important to get this fixed so it doesnt cause me more problems?

[Braindrain]

Check out this link:

www.pressenter.com/~wacma/acquired.htm

Hope this helps!:)

[Concerned Gal]

Pain in the Neck,

Yes, you can get what looks like "Chiari" caused by a csf leak. Although it can often be the brain being pulled down and not a "true" Chiari malformation, so when the leak is restored it returns to normal position. I have read numerous articles where this is the case.

As you know i've been leaking for 12 months now, and when i had an MRI in May, I showed Chiari malformation 7mm herniation. I also have a confirmed leak. My neuros assumed that the malformation was infact a pseudo malformation caused by the leak which would return when the leak was fixed. However, my aunt got diagnosed with chiari last year (leak wasn't an issue) and she had decompression surgery on the chiari - her symptoms were Chiari though.

If your MRI shows a Chiari malformation, DO NOT get decompression surgery while you still have a leak. It would be the worst thing to do.

Have you had an MRI showing a Chiari malformation? Have they tried to locate your leak as yet through myelogram? I notice you mentioned going to a neurosurgeon and i know everytime i have seen a neurosurgeon they have said can't help you til find the leak and referred for myelograms.

Email me if you want to chat.

[PainInTheNeck]

Thank you for the site link Brain Drain...it sure did help! And thank you for your concern and information Concerned Gal. I 'm leaving shortly for my appt. and will let you know what I find out. My syptoms switch around every few days. The biggest problems right now are my arms are hurting badly and my back gets that horrid pressure as the afternoon comes and last in to the evening whenever I stand up. I also have tenderness in my back that actually seems to be connected to the brainsag headache as I was touching it to figure out just where it seemed to hurt and pain shot right up to my head and stayed al evening. Now I am not looking forward to the Doc touching my back. This happened another time...Doc pushes on my backa nd I had way worse symptoms to deal with for a few days. Sorry for blubbering on....I guess I am thinking out loud. Take care, Shelly

[roz1950]

Shelly where are you from . I am in IOWA . How are you doing ? Do you see Dr. Memeze in Iowa ?

[PainInTheNeck]

Hi Roz...I am in indiana. The Dr. I am seeing right now is Dr. Feisenmeier. Today we went over my stuff and I am going to have a 2nD blood patch. He is giving me today to figure out if I want it before or after Christmas...(I vote for neither.....I want magic instead!) LOL.

[Braindrain]

Did you have your blood patch done, yet? How did it go?:)