Consensus conference on Chiari: a malformation or an anomaly? Scoliosis and others orthopaedic deformities related to Chiari 1 malformation

Abstract

In this article, we analysed the orthopaedic malformation in patients affected by Chiari I malformations as well as conservative or surgical treatment. The most common deformity in these patients is scoliosis. Different studies suggest a causal relation between syringomyelia and spinal deformities that differ by the type of deformities: asymptomatic scoliosis is characterized by a higher incidence of a single curve and convexity to the left, while symptomatic scoliosis is characterized by a double thoracolumbar curve. The conservative treatment with brace in these patients is not effective and scoliosis is typically evolutive. The evidence of the international data is that in patients without myelomeningocele or congenital scoliosis, but with Arnold Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia, suboccipital craniectomy gives the best chance for syrinx reduction and scoliosis improvement, particulary in children younger than 10 years and below a Cobb angle of 30°. The orthopaedic treatment in late decompression or in progressive curve is spine arthrodesis.