Volumetric analysis of the posterior cranial fossa in a family with four generations of the Chiari malformation Type I

R. Shane Tubbs, Mark Hill, Marios Loukas, Mohammadali M. Shoja, W. Jerry Oakes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Object. Many authors have concluded that the Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) is due to a smaller than normal posterior cranial fossa. In order to establish this smaller geometry as the cause of hindbrain herniation in a family, the authors of this paper performed volumetric analysis in a family found to have this malformation documented in 4 generations. Methods. Members from this family found to have a CM-I by imaging underwent volumetric analysis of their posterior cranial fossa using the Cavalieri method. Results. No member of this family found to have CM-I on preoperative imaging had a posterior fossa that was significantly smaller than that of age-matched controls. Conclusions. The results of this study demonstrate that not all patients with a CM-I will have a reduced posterior cranial fossa volume. Although the mechanism for the development of hindbrain herniation in this cohort is unknown, this manifestation can be seen in multiple generations of a familial aggregation with normal posterior fossa capacity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)21-24
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chiari malformation Type I
  • Familial condition
  • Hindbrain herniation
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Posterior fossa
  • Volumetric measurement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Clinical Neurology

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