Hello, my name s Michele. I was in the hospital for three days last week with what the doctors told me was a TIA. The left side of my face was numb and I was having issues with moving the left side of my mouth and my left eyelid was drooping. They performed an MRI and a CT scan and when I was being discharged they told me I had some issue with my cerebellar tonsils, though I don t remember what the doctor said. For years I have had a lot of problems with my balance, I ve had horrible headaches and dizziness along with fainting spells. Everything I have wrong focuses on my left side. I have had issues with numbness and tingling in my left hand and left foot along with pain down the arm and leg. I have chronic back and neck pain that never seems to go away. I don t know exactly what s going on but I was wondering if it could be something other than a chiari malformation?
Hello, All of your symptoms can occur in Chiara malformation. Rather this constellation of symptoms would strongly suggest such malformation. Along with the Chiara malformation of the brain there may be bony abnormality of the craniovertebral junction which can cause some symptoms like neck pain. Cerebellar tonsils may be herniated and causing pressure on structures of brain and spinal cord. MRI is the best and reliable investigation for Chiara. Good luck.