SYRINGOMYELIA ASSOCIATED WITH CHIARI-I MALFORMATION TREATED BY CRANIO-VERTEBRAL DECOMPRESSION WITH RESECTION OF THE CEREBELLAR TONSILS - REPORT OF 8 CASES

We report a series of 8 patients with syringomyelia and associated Chi ari I malformation treated between 1992 and 1996 using a cranio-verteb ral decompression with tonsil resection. The follow up period ranged f rom 6 months through 4 years (mean: 28 months). Neurological symptoms and signs improved in 7 patients (87 %), and were stabilized in 1 (13 %). At 6 months, postoperative MRI showed that the syringe has decreas ed in all patients. We emphasize the respect of the different stages o f surgical procedure (limited foramen magnum opening, arachnoid preser vation, tonsillar subpial aspiration, arachnoid suture and dural closu re). Other of treatment and their results are reviewed.