Key points to determine a prognosis of Chiari II malformation

Abstract

A case of Chiari II malformation (Ch-II) may be very rare in a general hospital, but knowledge of the embryological mechanism, complications and prognosis is somewhat related to various kinds of congenital central nervous system anomalies including tethered cord syndrome and so on. The author herein introduces key points to determine a prognosis of Ch-II with the presentation of clinical courses and therapeutic results of thirty-six cases experienced in our hospital from January, 2001 to December, 2013. Additionally, the historical change of the treatment method, is also described with topics including prenatal diagnosis, control of combined hydrocephalus, mental development, intensive therapies and different diagnoses in cooperation with other departments, and fetal surgery for the intrauterine repair for the myelomeningocele.