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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Establishment of Central Cord Syndrome Model in C57BL/6J Mouse
Published on: September 8, 2023
The pathogenesis of Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia
Raymond F Sekula1, Gregory D Arnone, Christine Crocker
1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. rsekula@wpahs.org
Objective:
The pathogeneses of Chiari malformation type I and syringomyelia are incompletely understood. In this article, the authors attempt to review the current theories on the pathogeneses of Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia.
Methods:
A literature review for articles pertaining to Chiari I malformation or syringomyelia before August 2010 was conducted; in addition, the author's own experience in treating Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia is included.
Results:
Chiari I malformation has been defined radiographically as cerebellar tonsillar herniation or ectopia 5 mm or greater below the foramen magnum. By this narrow definition, Chiari I malformation (i.e. cerebellar tonsillar herniation or ectopia 5 mm or greater below the foramen magnum) likely encompasses a heterogeneous grouping of disorders caused by different mechanisms. Molecular and genetic studies have been helpful in furthering our understanding of Chiari I malformation.
Conclusion:
A review of the pathogeneses of Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia is reported.
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