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SURGSCAL TREATMENT OF SYRİNGOMYELİA WITH CHIARI MALFORMATION

  • Ali ARSLANTAŞ
  • Ramazan DURMAZ
  • T. Erhan COŞAN
  • Metin A. ATASOY
  • Eşref TEL

J Turk Spinal Surg 1999;10(1):12-19

The subject of surgical approach and aetiology of syringomyelia is controversial. İn our retrospective study, done betvveen 1992-1998, we evaluated the results of different operative techniques applied to twelve patients with syringomyelia and associated Chiari malformation. Twelve patients undervvent a total of sixteen operative procedures. Foramen magnum decompression with dural plasty (fascia lata or freeze-dried cadaveric dura) was performed on six patients. The foramen magnum decompression was achieved via suboccipital craniectomy and C1 and C2 laminectomy. Postoperative follow-up periods averaged 20 months (3-38 months). Of the twelve patients who had had preoperative symptoms and neurologic and physical signs, seven had improved, two had partially improved, one had no change and two had vvorsened. İn conclusion, the patients who had the foramen magnum decompression with dural plasty showed a more favourable prognosis than those who had undergone the foramen magnum decompression or/and syringosubarachnoid shunting procedures.

Keywords: Syringomyelia, Foramen magnum decompression, Chiari malformation