Article Title
Keywords
Chiari malformation type I, occipitocervical dura angulation, posterior fossa decompression, duraplasty, tonsillectomy
Abstract
At present, the common surgical procedures for the Chiari malformation type I are comprised of posterior fossa decompression, duraplasty and tonsillectomy. Some neurosurgeons prefer these so called minimally invasive surgeries. However, there are still some failures for patients undergoing the above surgeries in clinical practice. Analyzing causes of many surgical failures, the author put forward the anatomical concept of occipitocervical dura angulation (ODA). The ODA is defined as the included angle between the cerebral dura mater and spinal dura mater at the posterior foramen magnum on the median sagittal plane. For Chiari malformation type I without atlantoaxial instability, the selection of appropriate surgeries and accurate evaluation on the effect of the decompression can be realized after the comprehensive analysis both on the severity of tonsil herniation and the ODA. Tonsillectomy may be needed to add to posterior fossa decompression (PFD) and duraplasty for Chiari malformation type I with the ODA being the larger obtuse angle and/or the tonsil herniation to the level of arcus posterior atlantis.
Publisher
Tsinghua University Press
Recommended Citation
Bo Xiu, Rui Zhang. The significance of occipitocervical dura angulation in selection of surgery procedures for Chiari malformation type I. Journal of Neurorestoratology 2019, 7(3): 109-115.
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Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, Nervous System Diseases Commons, Neurology Commons, Neurosciences Commons, Neurosurgery Commons