Chiari malformations in adults: A single center surgical experience with special emphasis on the kinetics of clinical improvement

Background: The Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is the most commonly found type in adults. The efforts to further improve the treatment offered for these malformations are hampered by the existence of controversial methods and the absence of a uniform scoring system to evaluate clinical outcomes. Objectives: The goal of our study is to analyze the clinical and radiological data concerning patients operated for CM and to expose surgical techniques. Patients and treatment: This is a retrospective study concerning patients of more than 16 years of age, operated on (from 2000 to 2016) in our institution. These patients underwent bony decompression of the cervico-occipital junction, with a duraplasty enlargement. Clinical and radiological follow-up was assessed sequentially. Results: The mean age of patients included in this study was 39. Headaches (n = 19) and sensory disturbances (n = 17) were the most common presenting complaints. Furthermore, syringomyelia symptoms were present in 34.5% of the cases (n = 10). Twenty-three patients displayed a Chiari malformation of type I (79.3%), and six patients were classified as Chiari malformation type I.5 (20.7%). A syringomyelia was present in 58.6% of the cases (n = 17). The postoperative complications that were encountered were: one case of pseudo-meningocele, two cases of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, two cases of meningitis, and one case of delayed wound healing. The mean follow-up period was 18 months, which showed beneficial outcomes in 82.8% of the cases (20.7% cured, and 62.1% improved) and an unfavorable outcome in 17.2% of the cases (13.8% stable patients and 3.4% worsened outcomes). Syringomyelia symptoms were improved in 60% of the patients. Among the patients who presented without a syrinx, 82.3% had good outcomes; and those who presented with a syrinx, 83.4% had good outcomes. Symptoms improved for 69% of patients within 3 months. Conclusion: An optimal craniocervical osteo-dural decompression plus duraplasty offered early and sustainable good clinical results in symptomatic CM-I and CM-I.5 patients.