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Scoliosis in a child with Chiari I malformation and the absence of syringomyelia: case report and a review of the literature

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Abstract

Background

Scoliosis is a common finding in children with Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia. The development of scoliosis associated with a Chiari malformation typically has been ascribed to the presence of syringomyelia. Decompression of the hindbrain hernia will often alleviate the syringomyelia and, in many cases, stabilize or reverse the scoliosis.

Case report

We report a child with Chiari I malformation and scoliosis who presented with Valsalva-induced headache/neck pain. MRI revealed no syringomyelia or hydrocephalus. Radiographs revealed that her scoliotic curvature was approximately 13° and was a single levoscoliotic curve. This patient underwent a posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty for her Valsalva-induced pain. Postoperatively, she had resolution of her pain and there has been no progression of her scoliosis at 3 years follow-up.

Prognosis

Intriguingly, and scattered throughout the medical literature, many have noted cases of scoliosis in patients with only a Chiari I malformation and no syringomyelia. Moreover, experimental studies have induced scoliosis in animals after compression of the dorsal columns. After a review of the medical literature regarding a potential cause and effect of herniated hindbrain-induced scoliosis in the absence of syringomyelia, this association although rare, does seem plausible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

  2. Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs & W. Jerry Oakes

  3. Section of Pediatric Orthopedics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Scott Doyle & Michael Conklin

  4. Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital, 1600 7th Avenue South, ACC 400, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

Authors
  1. R. Shane Tubbs
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  2. Scott Doyle
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  3. Michael Conklin
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  4. W. Jerry Oakes
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Correspondence to R. Shane Tubbs.

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Tubbs, R.S., Doyle, S., Conklin, M. et al. Scoliosis in a child with Chiari I malformation and the absence of syringomyelia: case report and a review of the literature. Childs Nerv Syst 22, 1351–1354 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0079-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-006-0079-6

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