Intracranial Hypertension in a Patient with a Chiari Malformation Accompanied by Hyperthyroidism
Korean Journal of Spine
;
: 150-152, 2015.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-56412
ABSTRACT
The Chiari malformation is an infrequently detected congenital anomaly characterized by the downward displacement of the cerebellum with a tonsillar herniation below the foramen magnum that may be accompanied by either syringomyelia or hydrocephalus. Surgery, such as foramen magnum decompression, is indicated for a symptomatic Chiari malformation, although an incidental lesion may be followed-up without further treatment. Infrequently, increased intracranial pressure emerges due to hyperthyroidism. A nineteen-year-old girl visited our outpatient clinic presented with a headache, nausea and vomiting. A brain and spinal magnetic resonance image study (MRI) indicated that the patient had a Chiari I malformation without syringomyelia or hydrocephalus. An enlarged thyroid gland was detected on a physical examination, and serum markers indicated Graves' disease. The patient started anti-hyperthyroid medical treatment. Subsequently, the headache disappeared after the medical treatment of hyperthyroidism without surgical intervention for the Chiari malformation. A symptomatic Chiari malformation is indicated for surgery, but a surgeon should investigate other potential causes of the symptoms of the Chiari malformation to avoid unnecessary surgery.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Physical Examination
/
Syringomyelia
/
Thyroid Gland
/
Vomiting
/
Brain
/
Biomarkers
/
Intracranial Pressure
/
Cerebellum
/
Graves Disease
/
Unnecessary Procedures
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Korean Journal of Spine
Year:
2015
Type:
Article
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