The Originality of Neuro Rehabilitation Protocols in a Definitive Case of Syringomyelia Related to Chiari I Malformation

Abstract

Syringomyelia is a center-medullary syndrome characterized by the presence of fluid-filled spaces known as syrinx within the spinal canal. Arnold Chiari Malformation (CM-I), a rhombencephalon anomaly formerly identified as hindbrain hernia, is usually associated with it. This disorder causes the brain (cerebellum) to bulge through the opening in the skull known as the foramen magnum. Some asymptomatic patients may develop symptoms quickly if they jolt their heads and cough for a lengthy period of time. Syringomyelia can be caused by trauma, illness, inflammation, or previous surgery that affects the circulation of cerebral spinal fluid resulting in CSF flow obstruction. The discomfort is acute and progressive, radiating to the neck and shoulder, and is accompanied by sensory loss, motor atrophy, decreased hearing, oscillopsia, and cerebellar abnormalities. This case report is of a 39-year-old woman diagnosed with syringomyelia associated with Arnold Chiari malformation and showed similar symptoms managed by foramen decompression and tonsillar elevation surgery. It involves removing a small piece of bone from the skull and a small section of the 1st vertebra from the back of the neck and head. In this way, there is an increase in skull space. Decompression of the spinal canal increases the size of the subarachnoid cisterns and constricts the syrinx cavity. After surgery, physiotherapy was advised because all superficial sensations over C8 and T1 were diminished, the range of motion along with strength was reduced, doing daily activities was difficult, and quality of life was affected. So, by decreasing symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life, physiotherapy improved the patient's condition significantly in this case report. The rationale of this study is to show the importance of physiotherapy in recovering after a neurological condition followed by corrective neurosurgery.