Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Symptomatic Chiari type I malformation after radiation therapy in an infant: case report
Caitlin E Hoffman1, Eric Lis, Suzanne L Wolden
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Insights
Radiation therapy for pediatric neck tumors can lead to Chiari I malformation. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- A previous case report documented Chiari I malformation following cranial base radiation in a child.
- This study presents an additional case in a pediatric patient treated for a malignant rhabdoid tumor.
Observation:
- A 17-month-old girl developed Chiari I malformation and cervical syringomyelia 1.5 years post-treatment for a right neck rhabdoid tumor.
- Symptoms included episodes of unresponsiveness, with diagnosis confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention with suboccipital decompressive craniectomy and C1 laminectomy was performed.
- Post-surgery, imaging showed restored cerebrospinal fluid flow and cerebellar tonsil ascent, with the patient remaining asymptomatic.
Implications:
- The association between radiation therapy and Chiari I malformation warrants attention due to its increasing use in pediatric cancer treatment.
- Highlights the importance of long-term surveillance for neurological complications in pediatric patients treated with radiation therapy.
Objective:
One previous case report has described the development of a Chiari I malformation in a child after fractionated radiation therapy to the anterior cranial base. The authors present an additional case of a 17-month-old girl treated for an isolated, malignant, rhabdoid tumor of the right neck with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical exploration, and radiation therapy.
Clinical Presentation:
The patient developed a Chiari I malformation and cervical syringomyelia 1.5 years after the treatment. The patient experienced two episodes of unresponsiveness before diagnosis, and the malformation was then identified on magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Intervention:
Suboccipital decompressive craniectomy, and C1 laminectomy with autologous duraplasty were performed.
Results:
Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed reconstitution of cerebrospinal fluid at the foramen magnum and ascent of the cerebellar tonsils. The patient remains asymptomatic 5.5 years after treatment.
Conclusion:
The importance of this association is discussed in the context of the increasing use of radiation therapy in young children and infants.
