Foramen magnum decompression for the treatment of Arnold Chiari malformation type I with associated syringomyelia in an elderly patient.Spinal Cord. 2005 Apr; 43(4):249-51.SC
STUDY DESIGN
Report of a rare case of an elderly patient with late onset of Arnold Chiari malformation type I with associated syringomyelia that was successfully treated with foramen magnum decompression.
OBJECTIVE
To report this rare case along with a literature review.
SETTING
Gifu, Japan.
METHODS
A 69-year-old woman with a 4-year history of dull pain in her right arm was referred to the clinic. After physical and radiographical examinations, she was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari malformation type I with associated syringomyelia. A foramen magnum decompression by the removal of the outer layer of the dura mater was performed.
RESULTS
At 2 years postoperatively, MRI revealed a decrease in the size of the syringomyelia. Her symptoms had also remarkably improved.
CONCLUSIONS
A rare case of symptomatic Arnold Chiari malformation type I with associated syringomyelia in an elderly woman was successfully treated with foramen magnum decompression by the removal of the outer layer of the dura mater.