What is ACM?

This 'crowding' can result in a restriction in the flow of CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) from the spine into the brain and vice-versa.

Chiari	Normal

Even though the amount of brain spilling out of place is less damaging than the restriction of flow, the degree of malformation is measured by the herniation.

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Classifications

There are several different classes of chiari.

• ACM 1 is characterized by a displacement of the cerebellar tonsils below the opening at the base of the skull. This may also include Syringomyelia, Hydrocephalus and abnormalities in the bone structures around that area.

• in ACM 2, the displacement includes, not only the cerebellar tonsils, but also the brain stem outside of the base of the skull (foramen magnum). Again it may also include Syringomyelia, Hydrocephalus and bony abnormalities but is also often associated with spina bifida.

• ACM 3 includes all of the characteristics found in ACM 1+2 but also includes a 'bulging' of the spinal cord.

• ACM 4 is now considered a different, but related condition.

For example, Natalie has ACM1 15mm.

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Diagnosis

Chiari is often misdiagnosed since it can only be diagnosed with the use of an MRI scan and the symptoms are so wide and varied. FM (fibromyalgia) CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) and MS (multiple sclerosis) are often diagnosed by mistake. Many doctors have never even heard of chiari. To find out more about MRI scans then visit the MRI page.

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Symptoms

Symptoms are wide and varied, but head and neck pain, fatigue and dizziness are the most common. To read a very comprehensive list, please click here.

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Surgery

Surgery is the only way to try to 'cure' the condition, however it is not 100% successful and should never be taken lightly. The surgery requires the removal of bone from the base of the skull and from the upper vertebrae. You can read more about this, as well as seeing diagrams on the Surgery Page. Drugs are often used to treat the symptoms themselves, but that is only a short-term measure.

Many people with chiari live with only minimal symptoms. Others have the surgery and find relief afterwards. Please, don't worry. Worry never did anyone any good.

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 What are the Symptoms? 

 

Symptoms	Proportion complaining of symptom	back to top       back to top       back to top         back to top       back to top       back to top       back to top         back to top	Symptoms	Proportion complaining of symptom
Headache	90%		Sleep Apnea	55%
Fatigue	90%		Decreased Muscle Tone	55%
Loss of Vision	81%		Pressure in Ears	52%
Tingling in Extremities	81%		Nausea	52%
General Imbalance	77%		Throbbing in Neck	52%
General Clumsiness	77%		Difficulty Reading Text	52%
Memory Loss	77%		Depth Perception Problems	52%
Restricted Movement	74%		Intense Burning in Extremities	52%
Intolerance to Bright Light	74%		Menstrual Problems	49%
Vertigo from Position Change	74%		Fluid-Like Sound in Ears	48%
Difficulty Walking on Uneven Ground	74%		Loss of Sexual Interest/Sensation	48%
Motor Skills Dysfunction	74%		Pulling Sensation While Standing/Sitting	48%
Difficulty Driving	74%		Shooting Pain in Neck	45%
Difficulty Negotiating Steps	71%		Intense Itchiness with Profuse Sweating	45%
Pressure on Neck	71%		"Stars" in Vision	45%
Pain/Pressure Behind Eyes	71%		Slurred Speech	45%
Back Pain (previous back injury 35%)	71%		Gag Reflex Problems	45%
Neck Spasms	68%		Panic Attacks	45%
Spots in Vision	68%		Veritgo from Nervousness	42%
Insomnia	61%		Shooting Pain in Head	42%
Ringing in Ears	61%		See "Halos"	39%
Difficulty Adjusting to Light Change	61%		Difficulty Feeling Ground Under Feet	39%
Swaying	61%		Tightness in Chest	39%
Pain When Changing Position	61%		Loss of Bladder Control	35%
Nystagmus	58%		Pressure on Chest	35%
Tingling Feelings in Head	58%		Dehydration	35%
Intolerance to Loud/Confusing Sounds	58%		Difficulty Locating Foot Position	35%
Decresed Sensation in Extremities	58%		Foot Drop	32%
Pain Along Ear/Eye/Jawline	55%		Drop Attacks	32%
Double Vision	55%		Electric-Like Burning Sensations	26%
Difficulty Swallowing	55%		Unequal Pupil Size	26%
Drooling	55%		Loss of Taste	26%
Spontaneous Veritgo	55%		Popping/Cracking Sounds in Neck	13%
Hand Tremors	55%		Loss of Smell	10%
Poor Blood Circulations	55%		Dry Skin and Lips	10%
Sinus/Mucous Problems	55%
Other: Migraines, Oscillopsia, Lump in Throat, Colour Blindness, Albinism, 'Floaters', Thinning Hair, Hear Heartbeat in Ears, Throat Closes when Lying Flat, Vomit in Sleep, Swollen Face, Low Body Temperature, Low Blood Pressure, Legs Feel Heavy, "Strangling" Feeling, "Floating" Sensation, Thickening of Finger Joints.
List kindly donated by WACMA