Want a neurologist to look at this MRI

[deserthead]

Could this be Chiari? Please see attachments.

Chiari?

Chiari? another view

[clinicalguru3]

Thanks for your question.
In order to answer it I will attach an example of a Chiari I malformation published by the Mayo clinic.

Chiari I malformation

You will see the way that we continue the line of the skull bones to define the "foramen magnum" which is the exit of the skull cavity.
Although some a Chiari I malformation is defined if the cerebellar tonsils protrude through the foramen magnum into the spinal canal, some degree of protrusion (up to 5mm) is found quite commonly in "normal" people...i.e. people without symptoms.
In your case it is hard to say for sure without seeing all the films at the highest quality, but from what I can see, if there is any protrusion it looks to be less than 5mm and I also did not see any of the complications that sometimes come with more significant protrusions.

Do you have an official neuroradiology report? I am a neurologist, not a radiologist so I would advise getting a neuroradiologist to have the final say on the films if this has not been done.

Hope that helps

[deserthead]

Unfortunately the neuroradiologist wasn't looking for Chiari, so he miss have missed it. What about Chiari 0? Where you can have Chiari symptoms but little or no herniation? Please see this link:
http://www.conquerchiari.org/subs%20only/volume%204/issue%204(1)/Chiari%200%204(1).asp

Thank you for your time.

[clinicalguru3]

Well the symptoms of Chiari are not specific enough (IMHO) to justify the term Chiari I.
I would certainly not advise surgery in such a case.
I guess I am a "non-believer" in Chiari 0 and I think that I am in the majority amongst neurologists regarding this...any "believers" should feel free to chime in and state their view!

All the best

[deserthead]

So, sleep apnea, migraines 3-4 times week, depression that waxes and wanes, vision problems, low blood pressure, and headaches that are caused by bumpy roads, or just turning my head are symptoms of something else?

[MG (Admin)]

Have you been examined by a neurologist?

[deserthead]

Unfortunately, no.

[MG (Admin)]

Well I think you should have a full neurological examination?
and if no signs are found referable to the lower brain stem area then there would be no reason to think that what you describe as a Chiari 0 malformation was responsible for your symptoms
Please let us know what was or is found when this is done.