Abstract
Migraine and tension-type headache are common clinical problems, occurring even at a young age. When patients report headache as a symptom, it is necessary to exclude a secondary headache induced by an organic disease. Proper diagnosis and management of headache depends on a thorough history review and comprehensive clinical examination. A Chiari malformation is one organic cause that should not be overlooked. A thorough clinical screening is always recommended, including a complete neurological, mental status and physical examination. However, when the symptom pattern suggests a Chiari malformation, neuroimaging is warranted to identify correctly the pathologic condition and the most appropriate therapeutic approach. This paper reviews this condition, the signs and symptoms suggestive of its presence and how to arrive a the proper diagnosis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance
Welch K, Shillito J, Strand E, Fischer EG, Winston KR. Chiari I malformations—an acquired disorder? J Neurosurg. 1981;55(4):604–9.
Atkinson JL, Weinshenker G, Miller GM, Piepgras DG, Mokri B. Acquired Chiari I malformation secondary to spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid leakage and chronic intracranial hypotension syndrome in seven cases. J Neurosurg. 1998;88(2):237–42.
Johnston I, Jacobson E, Besser M. The acquired Chiari malformation and syringomyelia following spinal CSF drainage: a study of incidence and management. Acta Neurochir (Wein). 1998;140(5):417–27.
Morioka T, Shono T, Yoshida N, Hasuo K, Fukui M. acquired Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia associated with bilateral chronic subdural hematoma. Case report. J Nneurosurg. 1955;83(3):556–8.
•• De Souza MR, Zador Z, Frim D. Chiari malformation type 1: related conditions. Neurol Res. 2011;33(3):278–84. One of the most recent reviews concerning CMI and differential diagnosis.
•• Taylor F, Larkins M. Headache and Chiari I malformation: clinical presentation, diagnosis, and controversies in management. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2002;6:331–7. Interesting paper concerning history, clinical aspect differential diagnosis and management of CMI.
Pascual J, Oterino A, Berciano J. Headache in type 1 Chiari malformation. Neurology. 1992;42(8):1519–21.
Pascual J, Iglesias F, Oterino A. Cough, exertional and sexual headaches: an analysiss of 72 benign and symptomatic cases. Neurology. 1996;46(6):1520–4.
Stovner LJ. Headache associated with the Chiari malformation. Headache. 1993;33:175–81.
Huang PP, Constantini S. Acquired Chiari I malformation. J Neurosurg. 1994;80:1099–102.
Haroun RI, Guarnieri M, Meadow JJ. Current opinions for the treatment of syringomyelia and Chiari malformations: survey of the pediatric section of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Pediatr Neurosurg. 2000;33(6):311–7.
Pearce JM. Hystorical note: Arnold Chiari or “Cruvilhier Cleland Chiari” malformation. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2000;68(1):13.
Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorder, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Cephalalgia. 1988;8 Suppl 7:1–96.
Elster AD, Chen MY. Chiari malformations: clinical and radiologic reappraisal. Radiology. 1992;183:347–53.
Levy WJ, Mason L, Hahn JF. Chiari malformation presenting in adults: a surgical experience in 127 cases. Neurosurgery. 1983;12(4):377–90.
Aboulezz AO, Sartor K, Geyger CA, Gado MH. Position of cerebellar tonsils in the normal population and in patients with Chiari malformation: a quantitative approach with MR imaging. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1985;9(6):1033–6.
Barkovich AJ, Wippold FJ, Sherman JL, Citrin CM. Significance of cerebellar tonsillar position on MR. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1986;7(5):795–9.
Meadows J, Kraut M, Guarnieri M. Asymptomatic Chiari type I malformation identified on magnetic resonance imaging. J Neurosurg. 2000;92(6):920–6.
Sansur CA, Heiss JD, DeVroom HL, et al. Pathophysiology of headache associated with cough in patients with chiari I malformation. J Neurosurg. 2008;98:453–8.
Kaplan Y, Oksuz E. Chronic migraine associated with the Chiari type I malformation. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008;110:818–22.
Weinberg JS, Freed DL, Sadock J, et al. Headache and Chiari I malformation in the pediatric population. Pediatr Neurosurg. 1998;29:14–8.
Headache Classification Subcommittee. The international classification of headache disorders. Cephalalgia. 2004;24 Suppl 1:1–160.
Rothner D, Winner P. Headaches in children and adolescents. In: Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Dalessio DJ (Eds) Wolff’s Headache and other head pain. 7th ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2001. p. 539–61.
Grazzi L, Usai S. Headache and Chiari malformation in young age: clinical aspects and differential diagnosis. Neurol Sci. 2011;32 Suppl 3:S299–301.
Disclosures
No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grazzi, L., Andrasik, F. Headaches and Arnold-Chiari Syndrome: When to Suspect and How to Investigate. Curr Pain Headache Rep 16, 350–353 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0270-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0270-2