Chiari Malformation

My husband has a condition chiari malformation. Below is information about that. He has had one brain operation already. Unfortunately, he has a rare type of Chiari that includes a "pocket" of fluid called a syrinx. he may need numerous operations just to maintain his basic functioning skills. There is not a cure for this and the surgeries are just maintenance. Please keep us in your prayers. We are afraid, but staying strong. The surgery he is has already had is called a "Chiari decompression and suboccipital laminectomy" to enlarge the opening in the back of the skull. This was done to help relieve pressure within the skull. He is now waiting to have surgery to look at the syrinx.

Definition of Chiari malformation is: Chiari malformation is a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal. It occurs when a portion of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. Although Chiari malformation is uncommon, it's now diagnosed more frequently, largely due to improved imaging tests.
Chiari malformation is usually present at birth (congenital), but it can develop in some children after they are born. Signs and symptoms may not occur until adulthood.
Doctors categorize Chiari malformation into several types, depending on the amount of brain tissue that is pushed down into the spinal canal, and whether developmental abnormalities of the brain or spine are present. The more common types are less severe and involve less displaced tissue. Other types are rare and more severe.
Treatment for Chiari malformation depends on its severity and the characteristics of your condition.

Causes of this are: Chiari malformation occurs when the section of the skull containing the cerebellum is too small or is deformed, thus putting pressure on and crowding the brain. There's no clear cause of this misshapen skull.
When the cerebellum is pushed into the upper spinal canal, it can interfere with the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that protects your brain and spinal cord. This impaired circulation of CSF can lead to the blockage of signals transmitted from your brain to your body, or to a buildup of spinal fluid in the brain or spinal cord. Alternatively, the pressure from the cerebellum upon the spinal cord or lower brain stem can cause neurological signs or symptoms.

In Bobby's case, the symptoms were so severe that he lost all feeling in the left side of his body. We are not sure if all of the paralysis is permanent, but the doctor feels that the nerve damage will most likely prove to be permanent.