Chiari I malformation with traumatic syringomyelia and spontaneous resolution: case report and literature review

Abstract

A case history of a 28-year-old woman who sustained a moderately severe head injury and then developed acute bilateral arm weakness is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed a Chiari I malformation with a large cervical syringomyelia (hydromyelia). The patient's arm weakness almost completely resolved spontaneously as did her syrinx. How this case is interpreted in light of the various theories of pathogenesis will be discussed.