What is Expansile Duraplasty?

Duraplasty is a type of repair or expansion of dura (the outer covering of the brain) when it has been cut open during surgery. It is often closed with another compatible soft tissue material taken from another part of the body.

What are the symptoms of Chiari type 1 malformation?

Symptoms of Chiari I malformations

headaches – these are usually felt at the back of the head and may be brought on or made worse by coughing, straining, sneezing or bending over.
neck pain.
dizziness and balance problems.
muscle weakness.
numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.

What causes Arnold Chiari malformation?

Causes of Chiari Malformations Chiari malformations are usually caused by structural defects in the brain and spinal cord. These defects develop during fetal development. Due to genetic mutations or a maternal diet that lacked certain nutrients, the indented bony space at the base of the skull is abnormally small.

Does Chiari malformation affect pregnancy?

Conclusions: Offering normal vaginal delivery with effective analgesia, for women with Chiari malformation, appears to be safe. Pregnancy care should be provided by a multi-disciplinary team with experience in managing Chiari malformation.

Are you awake during Chiari malformation surgery?

You will wake up in the recovery area. Your throat may feel sore from the tube inserted to assist your breathing during surgery. Once awake, you’ll be moved to your room. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing will be monitored.

What is Suboccipital decompression?

The suboccipital nerve decompression, also known as the Stealth decompression, is a technique using high volume injectate within the suboccipital triangle, used to treat occipital neuralgia.

Can you live a normal life with Chiari malformation?

Patients with Chiari type I malformation, the mildest form of the condition, are typically diagnosed in adulthood and have a normal life expectancy and good outcomes with treatment and/or surgery. Despite extensive malformations, some patients with Chiari II have normal intelligence and can function independently.

Can Chiari cause seizures?

In patients with Chiari malformation type 1 (CMI), epileptic seizures are occasionally reported both in symptomatic patients candidate to surgery and in patients without symptoms of tonsillar displacement in whom CM1 is often an incidental finding in the diagnostic work up for idiopathic epilepsies.

What are the most common complications of duraplasty?

A pseudomeningocele is a type of CSF leak, where the leak creates a pocket in the muscles in the back of the neck. It is one of the most common complications of duraplasty. While some surgeons have managed to keep the incidence of pseudomeningocele low in their patients, some report an incidence as high as 18%. [8]

What are the risks of CSF leak after duraplasty?

The risk of a CSF leak dramatically increases with the presence of untreated hydrocephalus [5], intracranial hypertension ( IH) [6], and connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Nationwide statistics indicate that the risk of a CSF leak post-duraplasty is 10-15%.

What are some of the most common complications of pregnancy?

This causes pressure to increase in the arteries. In pregnancy, this can make it hard for blood to reach the placenta, which provides nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. 1 Reduced blood flow can slow the growth of the fetus and place the mother at greater risk of preterm labor and preeclampsia. 1, 2

Can a duraplasty reduce the risk of scar tissue?

Scar tissue and adhesion can inhibit or block CSF flow and often require revision surgery to remove the scar tissue. A careful selection of the graft material used for a duraplasty may reduce the risk of developing adhesions and scar tissue.

What is Expansile Duraplasty? Duraplasty is a type of repair or expansion of dura (the outer covering of the brain) when it has been cut open during surgery. It is often closed with another compatible soft tissue material taken from another part of the body. What are the symptoms of Chiari type 1 malformation? Symptoms…