The association between Chiari malformation Type I, spinal syrinx, and scoliosis

Abstract

Object: Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) is often found in patients with scoliosis. Most previous reports of CM-I and scoliosis have focused on patients with CM-I and a spinal syrinx. The relationship between CM-I and scoliosis in the absence of a syrinx has never been defined clearly. The authors sought to determine if there is an independent association between CM-I and scoliosis when controlling for syrinx status. Methods: The medical records of 14.118 Consecutive Patients Aged 18 Years Who Underwent Brain or Cervical Spine MRI at A Single Inst. in An 11-Yr. Span Were Reviewed to Identify Patients with CM-I, Scoliosis, And/or Syrinx. the Relationship between CM-I and Scoliosis Was Analyzed by Using Multivariate Regression Anal. and Controlling for Age, Sex, CM-I Status, and Syrinx Status. Results: in This Cohort, 509 Patients Had CM-I, 1740 Patients Had Scoliosis, and 243 Patients Had A Spin. Syrinx. the Presence of CM-I, the Presence of Syrinx, Older Age, and Female Sex Were Each Significantly Assoc. with Scoliosis in the Univariate Anal.. in the Multivariate Regression Anal., Older Age , Female Sex , and Syrinx Were Each Independently Assoc. with Scoliosis. CM-I Was Not Independently Assoc. with Scoliosis When Controlling for These Other Variables . Conclusions: A Syrinx Was Independently Assoc. with Scoliosis in A Large Pediat. Pop. Undergoing MRI. CM-I Was Not Independently Assoc. with Scoliosis When Controlling for Age, Sex, and Syrinx Status. because CM-I Is Not Independently Assoc. with Scoliosis, Scoliosis Should Not Necessarily Be Considered A Symptom of Low Cerebellar Tonsil Position in Patients Without A Syrinx. 2015 AANS.