Arnold-Chiari malformation history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Symptoms

In infants, the most common symptoms are

In older children

Upper (and lower as age marches on) limb weakness
Breathing difficulties may occur
Patients may experience no symptoms or remain asymptomatic until early adulthood at which point they will often experience severe headaches and neck pain
Fatigue
Dizziness
Vertigo
Neuropathic pain
Pain at the point of tethering
Visual disturbances
Difficulty swallowing
Ringing in the ears
Sleep apnea
Impaired fine motor skills
Muscle weakness
Palpitations
Excessive clearing of the throat with no obstructions
Because of the complex combination of symptoms and the lack of experience with ACM1 had by many, even outstanding neurologists and neurosurgeons, many patients are frequently misdiagnosed.
Some patients may go an entire lifetime without having noticeable symptoms. Or, symptoms can be minimal, then turn severe suddenly due to head trauma which alters the condition of the spine, brain, or cerebellar tonsils and begins to cause more difficulties.

Skin: Myelomeningocele with Hydrocephalus; Arnold Chiari; Note Underdevelopment of Legs