Highlights
- •Chiari 1 malformations have variable presentation and demographics, however key patterns exist.
- •The unusually aggressive Chiari I malformation presentation in a 3-month-old is discussed.
- •Emergency surgical intervention due to the acute onset lead to full patient recovery.
- •Knowledge of unique cases may improve recognition and aid diagnosis.
Abstract
Quadriparesis and cardiovascular instability are not symptoms commonly associated
with Chiari I malformation diagnoses, less so in a 3-month-old toddler. Chiari I malformations
have a wide array of symptoms, varying with regard to both the nature of onset and
the age of the patient presenting. This variation is illustrated in this report, presenting
a novel description of a set of symptoms in a particularly young patient, a case lacking
the common insidious nature of Chiari I malformation symptoms. Acute onset of cardiovascular
instability, global hypertonia, hyperreflexia, and proximal upper limb weakness in
a 3-month-old toddler are discussed. Parallels between the presented case and previous
case reports are few, however some key features are distinguishable among similar
cases. A successful posterior fossa craniectomy allowed the acutely unwell toddler
to become a healthy, fully functional child. We believe this case contributes to elucidating
the rare presentations of a curious pathology.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 22, 2018
Accepted:
August 12,
2018
Received:
January 17,
2018
Identification
Copyright
Crown Copyright © 2018 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
