A Chiari malformation is a condition in which the lower part of the brain — called the cerebellum — extends into the spinal canal, where it doesn’t belong. Chiari (kee-AH-ree) malformations are more common than previously known, affecting approximately 1 in every 1,000 people. Due to advances in MRI technology, they’re being identified more frequently and earlier than ever. Here’s what families should know. What is Chiari malformation? Chiari malformations are congenital (present at birth) in nearly all cases. The issue typically develops while a fetus is growing but, depending on the Chiari type, a person may not experience symptoms until later in childhood, adulthood, or possibly never. The condition is named for German pathologist Professor Hans Chiari, who described it in the 1890s and established the Chiari Types I through IV classification still used today. One important distinction is that Chiari Type II (Arnold-Chiari malformation) is always associated with […]
