A diagnostic dilemma: Cervical myelopathy in the presence of chiari 1 malformation and multi-level cord compression in a 79-year-old woman

Abstract

Chiari 1 malformation (CM1) is an unusual finding in the elderly population. Presenting features can overlap with other conditions including cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM); a more prevalent pathology in this age group. We present a rare case of CM1 in a 79-year-old woman with concomitant CSM who made an excellent recovery following a combined foremen magnum decompression and C5 skip laminectomy.

Key words:

• Chiari type 1 malformation
• cervical spondylotic myelopathy
• skip laminectomy
• foramen magnum decompression