Info on Arnold-Chiari I, Idiopathic Syringomyelia, and Idiopathic Scoliosis: Causes and Insights

  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 h...

We are excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Institut Chiari & Syringomyelia & Scoliosis de Barcelona (ICSEB) . During these 15 years, we have dedicated our efforts to improve the health of individuals suffering from Arnold-Chiari I , idiopathic Syringomyelia and idiopathic Scoliosis and other diseases included in Filum Disease .   Since the foundation of the ICSEB in 2008, we have been pioneers in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. We have applied the protocols of the Filum System® method in more than 3000 first consultations and more than 2100 interventions. Patients from 85 countries on five continents have been able to benefit from the sectioning of the filum terminale by means of a minimally invasive surgical technique, which makes it possible to halt the evolution of the pathology, eliminating its cause – the traction that a congenitally tense filum terminale exerts on the entire nervous system.   Each of the patients we hav...

Figure.1- A patient’s magnetic resonances and their evolution following the Filum System® treatment, from the first preoperative MRI until the 7-year postoperative check-up, which shows that the medullary cysts disappeared. Syringomyelia consists of cystic cavities within the spinal cord usually associated with a generalized neurological deterioration. The most frequent symptoms are pain in the extremities, neck pain, alteration of thermal and tactile sensitivity, lower back pain, upper back pain, headache, gait disorders, paresis, sphincter alterations. Living with this condition means dealing with chronic pain and a progressive loss of autonomy. Our Institute specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of primary or idiopathic Syringomyelia , which, according to Dr M. B. Royo-Salvador’s caudal traction theory, is caused by the Filum Disease . Hence, the syringomyelic cavity is considered to be a consequence of the ischemia produced by the medullary traction that is generated ...

On the occasion of World Rare Disease Day , 28 February each year, we emphasize that Arnold-Chiari syndrome I and syringomyelia are not uncommon to our experts because of their incidence and number in the population. However, they are “orphan” because they have other typical features of this type of disease.  The Institut Chiari & Siringomielia & Escoliosis de Barcelona (ICSEB) follows the Dr. Miguel B. Royo Salvador’s theory of caudal traction. This theory considers that what causes the cerebellar tonsils to descend Arnold-Chiari Syndrome type I and intramedullary cavities to develop in idiopathic syringomyelia, is a consequence of the abnormal traction of the Filum terminale ligament.  This ligament is congenitally tenser than normal, affecting the entire central nervous system. Our center offers patients the Filum System® approach, a unique and proprietary method of diagnosing and treating these diseases, which includes minimally invasive surgical intervention...

The Institut Chiari & Siringomielia y Escoliosis de Barcelona establishes Casa ICSEB to accommodate not only our care activity for patients from all around the world, but also the work of our R&D department. People stop us on the street, they congratulate us. Neighbours ask about the construction site on Paseo de Manuel Girona and Calle Dr. Ferrán . Some recognise us because we are from the area; others do not even know who we are. However, everyone is happy with the change happening at the Manuel Girona 32 address. This informative note is for them and everyone who is curious to learn a little more about the building and those who will be occupying it. Casa ICSEB The emblematic Noucentista building from the 1920s is located in the Pedralbes neighbourhood, in the current Les Corts district, on the southwest corner of the intersection of Paseo Manuel Girona and Dr. Ferrán Street. Classified as an asset of urban interest, it is part of the historical heritage of the Catalan...

  On September 28, the International Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Day is celebrated, with the main objective of generating social awareness about this disease that is still little known; which generates a series of problems for people who suffer from it. Unfortunately, most of the patients we attend at Institut Chiari & Siringomyelia & Escoliosis de Barcelona, ​​apart from the pain they suffer, report having spent a long time trying to obtain a correct diagnosis and suffer from a lack of understanding regarding their symptoms. -both by health professionals and family members-. For this reason, we want to join this day to show all our support to the patients and relatives who live with this pathology -which is much more frequent than it seems-, providing the most valuable tool: information about this syndrome, based on more than 40 years of research by Dr. Royo Salvador and his team. This link explains the different types of Arnold-Chiari Syndrome, the symptoms and the treatments ...

We are delighted to share the good news with you: thanks to the good evolution of the pandemic, the increase in the vaccinated population -including ICSEB staff-, the decrease in travel restrictions by the Spanish government, and the decrease in the rates of infection and mortality; from now on,   our Institute will again receive patients without the need of carrying out a PCR-test or any analytical test related with Covid-19 to access the medical visits on our premises . We will continue to apply all the necessary precautions to ensure your protection:  the use of masks, hand hygiene, and interpersonal distance. We hope that with the new possibilities of international travel and the progressive reduction of the restrictions previously imposed due to healthcare measures, many patients who were waiting for this moment will finally be able to travel to our center so that our team of specialists can help them as soon as possible. You can now book your medical appointments!