Saturday, December 6, 2008
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How it all began
Isabel is a typical healthy 6 year old. In July 2006 we went to our pediatrician for a routine 6 year old check up. I, and the doctor, were shocked to see that there appeared to be a curve in Isabel's spine. She sent us for an xray and the scoliosis was diagnosed as a 37% curvature of her t-spine. We were referred to a Pediatric Orthopedic doctor at Primay Chilren's Medical Center. He felt the sudden onset of her scoliosis warrented further investigation with an MRI of her entire spine. We were shocked to find out Isabel had a type 1 chiari malformation and an associated large syrinx. A chiari malformation is when the base of the brain, the cerebellum, protrudes down into the spinal canal. This disrupts the flow of spinal fluid causing an abnormal fluid collection in the spinal canal (syrinx). This resulted in the formation of the scoliosis. We were then referred to a Neurosurgeon. Isabel is scheduled to have surgery. The type of surgery is called a chiari decompression. This involves removing a piece of bone from the back of her skull and part of her first cervial vertabra; cutting the dura, or outer covering of the brain, and put a bovine patch in place; the projecting portion of the cerebellum will also be removed. All this is trying to create more space for the cerebellum.
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3 comments:
We hope all goes well tomorrow and are anxious to get an update. We will be praying for her! Let us know how we can help.
Love, The Wallins
You don't know me, I am a friend of Brianne's and came to your blog from a link on her blog. I just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you today.
My two year old son was diagnosed in May with a Chiari Malformation. It has been a difficult thing to understand. We originally were not looking for anything of the sort when we started down this road. His left leg is thinner than right and he toes out. We started working with orthopedist to discover the cause. While the chiari is not the cause of his leg problems, it was discovered due to the many MRI's he had, looking for strokes or other brain lesions. I often wonder if this is why he had the problems with his leg so that we could be made aware of the chiari.
He had more tests to look for syrinx and scoliosis, which he has none at this time. So now we wait, for him to grow. It will be a life time of monitoring. I know how scary it is to sit at Primary Children's and wait for another test to be completed and not knowing what direction the results will take your family. My heart gets overwhelmed at times. They told me all of the signs and symptoms to watch for and our pediatrician is on alert to watch for any unusual conditions.
Did you daughter have any other symptoms besides the scoliosis? Headaches?
I hope you don't mind if I check back on you regularly, your daughters condition is so close to my sons. Sorry for the novel. I just wanted you to know that my heart goes out to you. Good Luck. I will be praying for your sweet daughter and for you.
Your family is in our prayers. I hope everything turns out well.
Marlene
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