Delayed Presentation in Chiari Malformation

Asian J Neurosurg. 2021 Dec 18;16(4):701-705. doi: 10.4103/ajns.AJNS_120_21. eCollection 2021 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Chiari malformations are a group of clinicopathological entities with a variety of clinical presentations, different pathophysiology, and variable outcomes. It has a typical set of clinical presentation. In this study is to observe the different clinical presentations of the patients with Chiari malformation in our population. As the time of initial presentation is delayed that might change the sign and symptoms with which patient initially presents.

Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study with prospectively collected data of 46 patients with Chiari malformation. The duration of the study is from 2017 to 2020. Patient's data will be compiled and analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25. Qualitative variables are presented as frequencies and percentages. Quantitative variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Effect modifiers are controlled through stratification. The Chi-square test is used for finding association between categorical variables. P ≤ 0.05 is considered as statistically significant.

Results: According to our data 36% of our patients presented with motor weakness which is followed by sensory deficit, however in previous literature headache was the commonest clinical presentation.

Conclusion: Clinical presentation in our population differs from other studies and the reason behind this is the delayed presentation of the patient and lack of awareness of disease and ultimately it will alter the outcome of disease and treatment.

Keywords: Chiari presentation; chiari; clinical symptoms.