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Chiari type I malformation in a pediatric population
Leslie A Aitken1, Camilla E Lindan, Stephen Sidney
1Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117-0137, USA.
Pediatric Neurology
|May 13, 2009
Summary
Chiari I malformation in children is often found incidentally. Older age at diagnosis increases the risk of symptoms like headaches and neck pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
Background:
- The natural history of Chiari I malformation in pediatric populations is not well understood.
- Chiari I malformation is a condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the natural history of Chiari I malformation in children.
- To identify clinical and radiographic predictors of significant neurologic symptoms in pediatric Chiari I patients.
Main Methods:
- Population-based retrospective cohort study.
- Reviewed radiology reports of head and spine MRI scans for children under 20 (1997-1998).
- Analyzed medical records and imaging for 51 identified pediatric Chiari I cases.
Main Results:
- Chiari I malformation was identified in 1% of pediatric MRI scans.
- Headache (55%) and neck pain (12%) were the most frequent symptoms.
- Older age at diagnosis correlated with higher odds of headache and significant neurologic symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Chiari I malformation is an underrecognized cause of headaches in children.
- The condition is often incidentally discovered in asymptomatic children.
- Further research is needed to establish prognosis and optimal treatment for pediatric Chiari I.
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