Foramen Magnum Decompression in Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I and Idiopathic Syringomyelia

Almost a year ago now, Dr. Miguel B. Royo-Salvador, MD, PhD, Director of the Institut Chiari & Siringomielia & Escoliosis de Barcelona and President of the Chiari & Scoliosis  & Syringomyelia Foundation, published a bibliographic review on the surgical technique of the foramen magnum decompression in two of the conditions this blog is mainly concerned with, the Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I and idiopathic Syringomyelia in the online edition of the Rare Disease Report. Today we would like to introduce this text here on the blog, hoping that you will find it of interest.

He discusses the existen debate in the medical world on making the accurate diagnosis and the existence of different types of the Arnold-Chiari Syndrome and the different treatment approaches for this condition and for the often associated idiopathic Syringomyelia. He analyzes what is currently the standard treatment, the foramen magnum decompression, with regards to the associated risks and complications compared to the course of the conditions themselves. 

Here an excerpt from the conclusion: "Currently and thanks to the collection of series of operated patients, we know that the [foramen magnum decompression] in its indication for [the Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I] and [idiopathic Syringomyelia] involves a mortality rate of 3%. As it is justified to assume it in fatal pathologies such as tumours, hematomas, cysts and others with a high mortality rate, that in many cases can be of a 100%, it is not justified in [the Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I] and the [idiopathic Syringomyelia] with a low spontaneous mortality rate."

Royo-Salvador, MB, Foramen Magnum Decompression in Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I and Idiopathic Syringomyelia, Rare Disease Report, 17 May 2017.

Access the full article here.