Role of Chiari Decompression in Managing Spinal Deformity Associated with Chiari I Malformation and Syringomyelia.

Abstract

CM-I-associated syringomyelia is a risk factor for scoliosis where a larger syrinx size is more likely to be associated with scoliosis. Therefore, the effect of syrinx on scoliosis progression may be alleviated by PFD. There is no difference in the need for fusion surgery between patients undergoing PFD with duraplasty vs. those undergoing extradural decompression; however, PFD with duraplasty is associated with an improvement in curve magnitude compared to extradural decompression alone. Further study on the comparison of PFD techniques for this cohort of patients is needed. PFD is a durable surgical option for patients with CM-I, syrinx, and scoliosis. Early decompression of CM-I in younger patients and those with smaller scoliosis curves at presentation is recommended as there is a higher likelihood of halting curve progression.