Treatment of the Chiari malformation with bone decompression without durotomy in children and young adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to provide more information on alternative operative approaches to the treatment of symptomatic Chiari type I and/or type II malformations in children and young adults.

METHODS: All patients were treated with craniocervical decompression without durotomy or duroplasty. The cervical decompression was carried on to the lowest level of tonsillar herniation.

CONCLUSIONS: In 22 patients with symptomatic Chiari type I (4) and/or Chiari type II (18) malformation, there was total improvement in 12, partial improvement in 7, and no change in 3. There was no operative morbidity or mortality. Craniocervical decompression without durotomy may be a suitable treatment modality for symptomatic Chiari malformation in children and young adults.