Abstract
This chapter considers the medicolegal aspects of Chiari malformation and syringomyelia and is divided into three main sections: personal injury claims, medical negligence and an individual’s inability to work whilst suffering from symptoms caused by these conditions. Aspects such as choice of surgical procedure, consent, post-operative complications and surgical results are considered, and guidelines for preparation of medicolegal reports are provided.
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Notes
- 1.
True post-traumatic syringomyelia cavities should be distinguished from primary post-traumatic cysts. The latter are confined to the level of the original injury, whereas the former propagate beyond this level.
- 2.
Headaches brought on by coughing, straining or bending forwards. The normal movement of cerebrospinal fluid, between the head and the spinal canal, is impeded by the herniated cerebellar tonsils. The resultant valve effect leads to transient rises in the intracranial pressure, generating short-lived but severe headaches.
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Marks, S., Flint, G. (2014). Medicolegal Aspects. In: Flint, G., Rusbridge, C. (eds) Syringomyelia. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13706-8_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13706-8_19
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