Like every year, we join the global recognition of Arnold-Chiari Syndrome, marking this occasion with the hope of a better understanding by the medical community of this condition, and consequently, a better quality of life for patients.
Nearly 50 years ago, Dr. M. B. Royo-Salvador identified the cause behind the descent of the cerebellar tonsils in Arnold-Chiari I: the Filum Disease. From that discovery, he devoted his work to refining an effective surgical solution that targets the condition’s cause and halts progression. This led him to develop a unique, minimally invasive technique: the Sectioning of the Filum Terminale, which is exclusive to the Filum System® method. This technique was published in 1997, with its results presented in 2005. (https://institutchiaribcn.com/en/dr-royo-publications/).
So far, our Institute has treated over 1,500 cases with descent of the cerebellar tonsils and has achieved outstanding results. We have not only met our goal of halting the disease’s progression but in several instances, we have seen the tonsils rise back to their normal position. We have encountered no major complications in any of the cases. Moreover, 94.6% of patients report a better quality of life in the long run, based on follow-ups conducted 15-20 years post-surgery. This success brings deep satisfaction to our patients, their families, and our dedicated team.
Since starting out, Dr. Royo’s team has diagnosed and confirmed over 2,600 cases of Filum Disease with descent of the cerebellar tonsils. These diagnoses have been made both in-person and remotely, with the team also examining many patients’ family members through relevant tests. Given that the Chiari malformation likely has a genetic origin, we have uncovered more related conditions within families, which might otherwise go unnoticed. We address these findings using a safe and efficient approach.
In conclusion, we are hopeful that our team’s successes, combined with the positive outcomes for our patients and the spread of our method, will empower more specialists to better understand this condition. This, in turn, should guide them in selecting the most suitable treatment for those diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari I.
