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Ventral Decompression for Chiari Malformations

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The Chiari Malformations

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Abstract

Ventral brain stem compression (VBSC), though rare, can be associated with Chiari malformation, type I (CMI). When present, VBSC can add to the morbidity of CMI, with increased incidence of cranial neuropathies, brain stem dysfunction, long tract signs, and myelopathy. VBSC is readily diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging techniques, and several measurements have been proposed to inform treatment. Treatment options range from conservative management in the asymptomatic patient to complex surgical interventions for symptomatic patients that harbor occipitocervical instability. Surgical techniques include posterior fossa decompression, occipitocervical fusion, and ventral decompression using microscopic transoral or endoscopic transnasal approaches.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA

    Akal Sethi

  2. Pediatric and Adult Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital Colorado – Colorado Springs/UCHealth Brain and Spine, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

    Thomas Ridder

  3. Departments of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA

    Todd C. Hankinson

Authors
  1. Akal Sethi
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  2. Thomas Ridder
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  3. Todd C. Hankinson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Todd C. Hankinson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Aydın Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Efeler, Aydın, Turkey

    Mehmet Turgut

  3. Departments of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA

    W. Jerry Oakes

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Sethi, A., Ridder, T., Hankinson, T.C. (2020). Ventral Decompression for Chiari Malformations. In: Tubbs, R., Turgut, M., Oakes, W. (eds) The Chiari Malformations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44862-2_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44862-2_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-44861-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-44862-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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