Health Library Arnold-Chiari MalformationFrom Healthwise

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Arnold-Chiari Malformation is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

• Arnold-Chiari Malformation
• Cerebellomedullary Malformation Syndrome
• ACM

• Chiari Type I (Chiari Malformation I)
• Chiari Type II (Chiari Malformation II)

Arnold-Chiari malformation is a rare malformation of the brain that is sometimes, but not always, apparent at birth. It is characterized by abnormalities in the area where the brain and spinal cord meet that cause part of the cerebellum to protrude through the bottom of the skull (foramen magnum) into the spinal canal. This interferes with the flow of cerebral spinal fluid to and from the brain, leading to accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the empty spaces of the spine and brain. The portion of the cerebellum that protrudes into the spinal canal can become elongated and is called the "cerebellar tonsils" because it resembles the tonsils.

There are four types of Chiari malformation. Depending on the type, the impact on the affected individual may range from mild to severe.

American Syringomyelia Alliance Project, Inc. (ASAP)
300 N. Green Street, Suite 412
Longview, TX 75601
Tel: (903)236-7079
Fax: (903)757-7456
Tel: (800)272-7282
Email: info@asap.org
Internet: http://www.asap.org

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

Spina Bifida Association of America
4590 MacArthur Boulevard NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007-4226
Tel: (202)944-3285
Fax: (202)944-3295
Tel: (800)621-3141
Email: sbaa@sbaa.org
Internet: http://www.sbaa.org

Hydrocephalus Association
870 Market Street
Suite 705
San Francisco, CA 94102
USA
Tel: 4157327040
Fax: 4157327044
Tel: 8885983789
Email: info@hydroassoc.org
Internet: http://www.hydroassoc.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Canadian Syringomyelia Network
69 Penny Crescent
Markham
Ontario, L3P 5X7
Canada
Tel: 9054718278
Fax: 9059444844
Email: barb@csn.ca
Internet: http://www.csn.ca

Hydrocephalus Support Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 4236
Chesterfield, MO 63006-4236
USA
Tel: 6365328228
Fax: 3142515871
Email: hydrodb@earthlink.net

Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc.
930 Woodcock Rd
Suite 225
Orlando, FL 32803
USA
Tel: 4078950802
Fax: 4078950824
Email: staff@birthdefects.org
Internet: http://www.birthdefects.org

World Arnold Chiari Malformation Association
31 Newtown Woods Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Tel: (610)353-4737
Email: internautbhm2@comcast.net
Internet: http://www.wacma.com

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
5550 Meadowbrook Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-3852
Tel: (847)378-0500
Fax: (847)378-0600
Tel: (888)566-2267
Email: info@aans.org
Internet: http://www.NeurosurgeryToday.org and http://www.AANS.org

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  4/19/2008
Copyright  1986, 1995, 2002, 2005 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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